TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Ninety-six per cent of Canadians think it's important that the health care system make use of digital health tools and capabilities, and 89 per cent feel it is important that they personally have full advantage of digital health tools and capabilities, according to a new survey by Harris/Decima, released by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway).
Other key findings from the Harris/Decima report include:
Every day, more of Canada's health care system goes digital. It's a private, secure and effective way to make health care better, for all of us. Today, patients like Alexa Thompson use digital health to help manage their care and wellness.
"After complications following knee surgery, it was important that I manage my weight, monitor my blood test results and track my exercise," she said. "Being able to manage all of that and have the ability to interact with my care team with the help of a digital health tool helped me feel like an empowered member of my own care team."
In order to demonstrate the value of digital tools available to Canadians, Infoway recently launched Better Health Together to showcase patients sharing their stories on how digital health has made a difference in their lives.
The Better Health Together campaign reflects the priorities that Infoway heard from more than 500 stakeholders across Canada as part of its strategic planning process. It underscores an important reality: adoption of digital health can improve the patient experience for Canadians.
"The network of systems created to securely connect and share health information among authorized clinicians is helping improve the care Canadians receive," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO, Canada Health Infoway. "As well, Canadians are increasingly embracing digital health themselves to manage their own care and the health and wellness of their loved ones."
Digital health has touched and enhanced lives in every province and territory. To hear from Canadians who have experienced its advantages or to learn more about the ways that digital health can empower individuals and their loved ones, please visit www.betterhealthtogether.ca. You can also join the conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CanadaHealthInfoway) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/infoway).
About Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of information and communications technology projects in Canada. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these secure systems will provide clinicians and patients with the information they need to better support safe care decisions and manage their own health. Accessing this vital information quickly will help foster a more modern and sustainable health care system for all Canadians.
The Better Health Together TV ad is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNiJlkAV9W0
Video with caption: "Video: Digital Health in Canada: Sara and Marcus' Story". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNiJlkAV9W0
SOURCE: Canada Health Infoway
Dan Strasbourg
Canada Health Infoway
(416) 595-3424
[email protected]
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