Hey Ontario - how is eHealth going ? or not going ?

[Michael Hardner]

Or, perhaps more pointedly: Ontario, why don't you care about eHealth except when there's a potboiling scandal up ?

https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&gl=ca&tbm=nws&authuser=0&q=ehealth+ontario&oq=ehealth+ontario&gs_l=news-cc.3..43j43i53.1745.3638.0.3860.15.2.0.13.0.0.119.205.1j1.2.0...0.0...1ac.1.nSChaES_InU#authuser=0&gl=ca&hl=en&q=ehealth+ontario+-scandals&tbm=nws

Google News search (taking out the search word 'scandals') shows there's no news. I guess we're just continuing to spend Billions (?) on ... something.

Meanwhile, Canada's Health Services performance information service (CIHI - Canadian Institute for Health Information, heard of them ?) takes a poll about online health records:

http://www.cihi.ca/land

Only 6% (6% !!!) are either 'on the fence' or 'don't see their value'.

So why aren't we doing this ? Comparing our health system to the US constantly helps our vanity and pride, but doesn't improve the system.

[jacee]

Hmm ... All my records in Ontario are accessible by dr and hospitals. I don't have to answer all the same intake questions anymore. Isn't that ehealth in operation? Is it only in operation in some places?

[Michael Hardner]

Really ? There hasn't been any announcement. I don't think that all records are accessible, actually.

[jacee]

http://www.ehealthontario.on.ca/en/progress-report

Today, 2 out of 3 Ontarians have an electronic medical record (EMR).

Maybe not where you are, but I've certainly noticed the difference in the last two years. Records and reports are transferred immediately - eg, My dr knows all the details of visits to emerg without me telling him ( and possibly forgetting something). Hospitals know drug sensitivities without relying on traumatized or unconscious victims. You don't have to sit through lengthy intake interviews (and possibly forget something) about your medical history every time you go to hosp - they have it online.

I think it's a great system. What I noticed, in repeated emergency visits with a friend, is that treatment of chronic conditions is more effective now, doesn't start from scratch every time like before but carries on to the next step immediately as they have the history.

I guess some people are still missing out.

Edited September 12, 2013 by jacee

[Boges]

My Doctor uses a puter for all my records now. But does that mean all my previous files from previous doctor's offices I've visited are all digitized? I highly doubt it.

[jacee]

My Doctor uses a puter for all my records now. But does that mean all my previous files from previous doctor's offices I've visited are all digitized? I highly doubt it.

No, I doubt they're digitizing past records, though if you request past records be sent to your dr they may - it'll be a summary.

The links between labs, hospitals and drs though are great. Improves efficiency and effectiveness a lot, imo.

[Boges]

No, I doubt they're digitizing past records, though if you request past records be sent to your dr they may - it'll be a summary.

The links between labs, hospitals and drs though are great. Improves efficiency and effectiveness a lot, imo.

Yet when I wanted a copy of my MRI they couldn't just e-mail a file to my GP, I had to drive to the hospital and pick up a CD.

[jacee]

Yet when I wanted a copy of my MRI they couldn't just e-mail a file to my GP, I had to drive to the hospital and pick up a CD.

That wouldn't happen here now. I don't even have to carry a prescription to the pharmacy any more.

Edited September 12, 2013 by jacee

[Michael Hardner]

They're doing a terrible job of communicating whatever is going on:

http://www.ehealthontario.on.ca/en/news

Nothing since last year ?

[Boges]

This Liberal government doing anything that's not a terrible job would be shocking.

[Michael Hardner]

This issue transcends politics, though. The agency was, I believe, started by the Harris government and maintained through 4 premiers now. There doesn't seem to be an arena for debate over these monolithic entities - they only seem to make it to the front page when there's a scandal brought up in Question Period.

My questions:

- What are they doing ? Where is the roadmap / timeline ?

- What are the costs and benefits ?

[Boges]

This issue transcends politics, though. The agency was, I believe, started by the Harris government and maintained through 4 premiers now. There doesn't seem to be an arena for debate over these monolithic entities - they only seem to make it to the front page when there's a scandal brought up in Question Period.

My questions:

- What are they doing ? Where is the roadmap / timeline ?

- What are the costs and benefits ?

We see the same with Metrolinx right now. Arm's length government agencies are just money pits.

They seem to be accountable to no one.

[Michael Hardner]

Actually, the opposite issue has been said of Metrolinx after the Premier imposed a change on their long term plan. It's a tough thing to manage - either accountable and politicized, or independent...

[Bryan]

Yet when I wanted a copy of my MRI they couldn't just e-mail a file to my GP, I had to drive to the hospital and pick up a CD.

At least you get to have that CD. I got my last MRI here in Manitoba very quickly (total wait = 6 days), but neither me nor my doctor were allowed to actually SEE it. All we are allowed to see is the radiologist's written report. When my local surgeon said he couldn't help me, I wanted a copy of the MRI so that I could get another opinion elsewhere, and I ended up having to go to the states to pay for another one in order to do that.

[bleeding heart]

So why aren't we doing this ? Comparing our health system to the US constantly helps our vanity and pride, but doesn't improve the system.

I agree, a waste of time, and not about much more than self-image.

So ok...if a serious and clear proposal is floated to turn us into a US-styled system...then the comparisons are valid and crucial.

But for the moment, they serve no good purpose. The US will continue to struggle its way through, potentially to a better system than their current one.

And that's what Canadians should be doing, as well.