August 2, 2023 — Less than 40% of Canadians (not including Quebec) have accessed their health information online, according to a national survey. Reference 1 As well, a survey found less than 2 out of 5 Canadian doctors (not including Quebec) reported sending patient information electronically to other doctors involved in their patients’ care. Reference 2 The use of electronic tools leads to better results because fast, accurate and secure sharing of information is essential for choosing the right, safe treatments and giving patients the best care possible.
In a 2022 survey of doctors, nurses and other health care workers, about 9 in 10 agreed improved sharing of electronic health information by health care providers would benefit patients by leading to a better patient experience and to safer, higher-quality care. Health care workers would also see less duplication, increased productivity and more collaboration with other health professionals. Reference 3
For these reasons, in February 2023 the Government of Canada and the provinces Footnote i and territories agreed one of their shared health priorities must be modernizing health care information systems to enhance Canadians’ ability to see their health information online. This includes working with CIHI and other data partners to develop and report on indicators to measure progress over time.
This section offers just a snapshot of what we want to measure:
Source
Canada Health Infoway. Survey question: “Have you ever accessed this digitally enabled health service at anytime in the past? Access your own personal health information electronically.” Custom tabulation based on 2022 Canadian Digital Health Survey: What Canadians Think. 2023.
Canadians need health systems that run on the best available information systems and digital tools.
Digital access to the health care system is important to Canadians. 4 out of 5 would like to access their health information electronically — whether that’s to book appointments, get in touch with their nurses and physicians or get test results. More than 80% of Canadians who have gone online to see their health information felt more informed and better able to manage their health. And some patients even say they were able to avoid a visit with their regular health care provider or to an emergency department because they could see their health information online. Reference 4
I’ve been using digital health for about a year and primarily I use it to update information for my daughters, connect with service providers, and stay up to date on immunizations and ask questions. So being able to email a nurse at my local health centre, … being able to ask questions and figure out … should I be more concerned about something… I find it really helpful. — Toni Williams, British Columbia, a mother who accesses her family’s health information online through Canada Health Infoway’s Closing the Circle of Care Project Reference 5
