Cocreating the Principles of Compassionate Virtual Care With South Asian Immigrants: Protocol for a Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Virtual health care has become increasingly popular worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant populations in Canada face significant barriers to, and disparities in, access to and use of virtual care. South Asian immigrants in particular often face intersectional impediments to health care access. Compassionate and equitable health care is a fundamental patient right and should be provided at all levels of the health care system; however, patients frequently report a lack of compassionate, respectful, and caring health services. OBJECTIVE: There is a large gap in studies conducted among South Asian immigrants, particularly regarding their access to and use of virtual care and their perceptions of compassionate virtual care. This study aims to address this gap by exploring how South Asian immigrants in Canada understand and define compassion, trust, and equity within the context of virtual care. METHODS: This research will be underpinned by the framework on digital intersections with compassionate care. This patient- and community-partnered cocreation research is informed by a qualitative, descriptive, participatory approach. This research will be conducted in three phases: (1) a scoping review to explore this emerging area of research; (2) one-on-one qualitative interviews with South Asian patients to examine compassionate, equitable, trusting, and productive patient-health care professional relationships in the context of virtual care; and (3) collective virtual meetings to cocreate principles of compassionate and equitable virtual care. This participatory research will be guided by the SPOR Patient Engagement Framework to ensure meaningful engagement throughout the study. Additionally, the three co's framework will guide the patient partnership. South Asian patients will be recruited from the community via collaboration with community organizations and Facebook groups. Purposive sampling will be used for an estimated sample size of 15 to 20 patients. An inductive content analysis will be applied. The data will be read thoroughly, and the text will be coded based on the content within the data. The codes will be sorted into categories to formulate themes. RESULTS: The findings are expected to have implications for practice, research, and education. The study was funded in June 2023; however, an extension was granted to accommodate the principal investigator's maternity leave and facilitate completion of the study. Data collection is projected to take place between June and August 2026. As of June 17, 2026, two participants have been recruited. Data analysis will commence in July 2026, following the completion of initial interviews, with findings expected to be published in winter or spring 2027. CONCLUSIONS: This study fills a research gap regarding South Asian immigrants' access to, use of, and perceptions of compassionate virtual care to promote its adoption. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/103397.