December 1, 2021 –Digital Health Week (Nov. 29 – Dec. 5, 2021), which is now underway, is the perfect opportunity for Canada’s health system to celebrate advances in digital health, while keeping up momentum to deliver health care faster and more efficiently.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of virtual care and Canadians both appreciate the benefits of using virtual care and expect many health services to continue to be delivered virtually going forward. According to the Canadian Digital Health Survey 2021, commissioned by Canada Health Infoway (Infoway):
- 91% said a virtual visit saved them time and money
- 90% were satisfied with the care they received in a virtual visit
- 84% were satisfied with the e-mental health care they received
- 82% want to use electronic prescriptions
- 79% want to access their personal health information electronically.
HealthCareCAN supports Infoway’s goal to build a more connected and collaborative health system. Canadians need improved access to virtual care and deserve safe sharing of health information between practitioners and patients.
The potential benefits of a streamlined health system on Canadians and our environment, as referenced in our pre-budget submission, are undeniable. For example, sustaining virtual visits at 50% of primary care visits nationwide would result in projected annual savings of 103 million hours for Canadians and the economy, and 325,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.
While there are also challenges to increasing use of digital health technologies, particularly with cybersecurity, we cannot afford to lose our momentum. By investing in critical digital health infrastructure in its upcoming federal budget, the federal government can help ensure Canada continues to advance digital health.
Paul-Émile Cloutier
President and CEO
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare.
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Media contact: Alexandria Rowe, Communications and Member Services
ARowe@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221 │ Cell: 613-220-1023