Virtual Care for Heart Failure - Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) (Pilot Phase)

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of death, hospitalization, and healthcare system expenditure in Canada. While care in HF clinics - multidisciplinary clinics that focus on optimal management of HF - improves health outcomes in HF, there are disparities in access to such care across our province. To respond to the needs of patients and the health care system, the investigators propose to develop and implement a virtual model of care that will enable Canadians with HF to receive outpatient HF care and medical optimization remotely. The investigators will assess the feasibility of this model of care in a pilot randomized controlled trial, and collect feedback from patients and providers. The investigators hypothesize that virtual clinics will be feasible. The investigators will also measure healthcare processes, and use these to guide a larger clinical trial that will measure clinical outcomes in patients receiving virtual versus usual care.

Inclusion Criteria:Adult patients ≥ 18 years old who:are being discharged after hospitalization or urgent visit (emergency department) for HF OR have been referred for an initial consult at a cardiology clinic within 30 days of hospitalization or urgent visit for HFhave left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 55% within the preceding 3 monthsHave NT-proBNP of > 900 pg/mlhave a mailing address for the patient or caregiverare competent (either independently or with caregiver) in using the virtual care platform during a brief demonstrationprovide consent.