E-Health ISAG

Institute informs, drives provincial e-health

In health care, information needs to be accurate, accessible, and timely. The vast amount of work the O’Brien Institute for Public Health has done in the e-health sector has moved Alberta closer to this vision.

The Institute’s e-health work focuses on developing informed digital health policy and practice, the creation of accessible tools and information, and timely delivery where and when those services are needed.

The philosophy laid out by Scientific Director Dr. William Ghali, MD, and which guides the Institute’s foray into this field, is grounded on the belief that e-health is not just about computers and software, but about human beings working with, improving on, and benefiting from timely and accurate health information.

The Institute has shaped Alberta’s e-health landscape through the development of a policy white paper, wherein health organizations recognize and acknowledge its declarations — accountability to communicate with and inform patients, and buy-in to a system where patients are able to access, receive and share quality health care information, in a digitally-integrated, seamless health care system.

That policy development work was led by Institute member Dr. Doreen Rabi, MD, in partnership with the provincial government, Alberta Health Services, the Alberta Medical Association, and other associated bodies.

The Institute has also worked with Alberta Health and professional organizations on a number of occasions in recent years to help create Alberta’s e-health landscape. The Institute worked with the Ministry of Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS) to convene strategic discussions between groups and to create a common vision of e-health services in Alberta. The Institute also advised Alberta’s provincial government following a national and international scan of other jurisdictions to inform the local system.

Impact on practice

As part of an effort to make care transitions safer (i.e., dangerous health care moments, transitions from hospital to home, or from one care provider to another), the Institute, through its W21C health care innovation program, has led the development and testing of e-health tools that communicate important medical information on medications and clinical conditions.

E-Health ISAG

Institute informs, drives provincial e-health

Impact on policy

Impact on practice