This November 16 to 22 was “Digital Health Week” in Canada. With virtual reality headsets selling like hotcakes and driverless cars roaming the California roads, it should be no surprise that the healthcare industry is attempting to leverage new technology to make life easier for patients. Electronic medical records (EMRs) are being widely adopted in primary care, telemedicine is gaining traction around the country, and, as Dr. Joshua Tepper wrote in a recent article for Huffington Post Canada, “even the stethoscope has gone digital.”
Digital health, in fact, is becoming a central aspect of day-to-day operations in Canadian hospitals, and has the capacity to greatly improve patient outcomes and access to healthcare.
Briefly, digital health is a new way for medical professionals to deliver care. Better Health Together, a public education campaign developed by Canada Health Infoway, describes it as “similar to the way technology has improved banking or the way we connect with family and friends.” Crucially, digital health improves patients’ access to information and allows them to stay engaged with their care team.
“Information is critical to quality care, whether the patients are in hospital or managing their conditions themselves at home,” said Michael Green, President and CEO of Infoway in a recent Hospital News article. “The vast majority of Canadians want secure access to online patient services, and never before has Canada been better positioned to do that.”
Access to digital health programs varies depending on where in Canada you reside. In Toronto, the Holland Bloorview and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centres each have initiatives underway, as does the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa. About 60 per cent of Canadians have access to technology that allows them to book lab tests and view results online.
Proponents of digital health would like to see service expanded.
“Digital health greatly improves the patient experience,” said cancer survivor Judith Morley, whose experience with online patient portals has made her a vocal supporter of digital health initiatives. “Whether you’re waiting to learn how your cancer treatment is progressing or you’re booking your child’s medical appointment, who wouldn’t rather have the ability to do those things online, quickly and securely?”
While the possibilities for digital health are undeniable, some healthcare professionals believe they should be regarded with reasonable skepticism.
“I think we should temper enthusiasm with a degree of caution,” wrote Dr. Tepper in his Huffington Post article, “and be open to learning from some of the challenges to date.”
One of Dr. Tepper’s primary concerns is privacy, which is vital to the healthcare sector. He also believes in the necessity of co-design between healthcare providers and patients in order to assure the intuitiveness and accessibility of programs.
Security concerns aside, though, Michael Green believes Canada is perfectly positioned for the widespread adoption of digital health.
“We are among the highest users of the internet in the world,” said Green. “Canadians go online to shop, to read or watch the news, to bank, and to communicate with friends. And research is showing that they know digital health makes health care easier and more convenient, and they want access for themselves.”
Medical practitioners believe the rise of digital health will improve the quality of care in Canada’s hospitals, but some medical errors are inevitable. If you or a member of your family has been injured by medical error, contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Greg Neinstein
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