Telehealth
Infoway's Telehealth Program will implement electronic solutions that facilitate the delivery of health information and services between patients and providers regardless of distance. Telehealth is defined as the use of information and communications technology to deliver health services, expertise and information over distance. The Telehealth program investment strategy focuses on five key dimensions: Geographic, Cultural, Clinical, Management Models as well as Technology and Standards. Through the investment strategy, Infoway will directly contribute to increased utilization and expansion of telehealth services throughout Canada and in identified areas of need such Aboriginal, official language minority, northern and remote communities.
In order to access specialty care, residents of remote and rural areas are often forced to travel long distances which means significant cost, inconvenience and, in some cases, aggravation of underlying medical conditions. Telehealth has the potential to provide access to a broader range of comprehensive primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services, more timely intervention, earlier repatriation and improved continuity of care for remote and rural patients. Telehealth can support services across the whole spectrum of health care including diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and, when well integrated into routine clinical practice, can improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the health care system by moving people and information virtually rather than physically.
Although not new, Telehealth has experienced rapid expansion over the past decade. It has become an important healthcare service delivery channel and its value will be enhanced by linking it to the interoperable EHR. Drug, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, and other patient-related health information will be immediately available to remote providers to support clinical decision-making and patient management.
For more information on Infoway Telehealth investment, please see the
Telehealth Investment Guide.
List of Projects
Program Benefits
- Access
- Ability to Access Care: Reduced patient travel time and cost to access services.
- Patient Participation: Increased patient participation in home care.
- Availability: Improved access to healthcare services in the home and community.
- Productivity
- Efficiency: Reduced travel time and costs for patients and providers.
- Care Coordination: Enhanced ability to support multidisciplinary care for remote patients.
|