As digital health technology becomes more streamlined and easier to use, Canadians are finding it to be their preferred method of accessing their health records. Canadians can securely view their personal health information online, connect to their family doctors, set up a virtual consultation, or even receive electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions). While this benefits patients across the country, it also streamlines the workflow for care providers.
We cover more information on how digital health has transformed our medical system in our blogs here.
However, the transition has created some difficulty and concerns about what digital health means for both Canadians and care providers. Some of these concerns are not necessarily based on facts. Here are 14 digital health myths debunked.
The following information was sourced from Canada Health Infoway.
1. Online mental health support is impersonal and ineffective, so Canadians aren’t interested in using it.
In 2019, a study done by Canada Health Infoway found that more than half of Canadians were interested in using electronic tools to support their mental health. Regardless of age, income, education level, and culture, mental health can affect everyone. Digital health solutions reduce stigma and make it easier to receive mental health support. Both children and adults can find resources online from their respective provinces to help improve their mental wellbeing.
2. Canadians do not have online access to their health information.
As of 2019, most Canadians can access their personal health information by electronic means. Provincial portals are set up for many citizens in Ontario and British Columbia and all citizens in Quebec, Alberta, and Saskatchewan have access to their health information.
3. Canadians are not comfortable with their health information being shared electronically between doctors and other health care professionals that care for them.
A study done by Canada Health Infoway in 2017 found that 85% of Canadians agree that doctors and other health care professionals require timely and easy access to patients’ health information so they can provide high-quality care.
4. I will not understand my lab results if I access them online because they are too complicated.
It was found that 76% of Canadian patients were confident that they understood their lab results in a study done in 2015.
5. The quality of care offered in a virtual visit is not as good as the care in a face-to-face visit.
While there are several cases that can only be completed through in-person visits, other occasions can be accomplished through virtual visits. This not only reduces the workload on care providers but simplifies the process for patients. In a BC study, 79% of patients who had a virtual visit felt that the quality of care was the same as an in-person visit. Furthermore, 91% of patients said that their online visit helped with the health issue they originally scheduled the appointment for.
6. Digital health will marginalize populations who may not have online access.
Canada is one of the most connected countries in the world. The Government of Canada states that 90% of Canadians today have access to the Internet through one form or another and that will continue to improve. The 2019 federal budget states that by 2026, 95% of Canadian homes and businesses will have access to internet download speeds of at least 50 mbps and upload speeds of 10 mbps. By 2030, no matter where you are in the country, 100% of citizens will have fast and reliable Internet access.
Connection to the Internet simply is not a barrier for most Canadians. Physical access to a medical facility, on the other hand, is a known barrier. Digital health resources reduce this barrier.
7. Digital health is only for the young and tech savvy.
It was found that 90% of Canadian households—including elderly citizen homes—have access to the Internet. Additionally, 74% of Canadians over the ages of 55 years own a smartphone or tablet.
An Internet connection and device capable of accessing the Internet is all a person needs to access digital health services and resources. There are also programs available for seniors to teach them how to use tools like Telehealth services.
8. If patients are able to view lab test results online before talking to their doctors, they will be overly anxious.
In the same study answering Myth #4, it was also reported that there is no significance increase in a patient’s level of anxiety upon receiving their laboratory test results.
9. Doctors will be flooded with calls if patients have access to their results online.
When patients have access to their lab results online, it is in fact the opposite. Patients who have access to their lab results through an online portal are less likely to call their physicians to request additional information.
10. Patients do not want to see their health information and will not find the information useful.
As many as 79% of Canadians say they can access or would like access to their health information online. Those that do have access find it beneficial. 94% of patients that currently use a portal to access their information said they valued viewing their health information online and 74% say it helps them have more informed discussions with their doctor.
11. Digital health is just for health care providers.
While digital health solutions are a boon to health care providers by saving them time and reducing redundancies in their workflow, providing timely access to patients’ health information creates empowerment and engagement which is linked to improved chronic disease management. In addition, patients who have access to their health information are less likely to use urgent or after-hour services.
12. There has been little-to-no progress in digital health in Canada.
The number of family physicians using electronic medical records (EMRs) jumped from 39% in 2009 to 86% in 2017 and continues to grow today. Additionally, it is estimated that 330,000 health care professionals use connected health information systems across the country. The number of Canadians accessing their health records has risen from 2 in 10 Canadians in 2015 to 7 in 10 Canadians in 2019.
13. The government and insurance companies will be able to see my digital health records.
Every province and territory have laws set in place to protect the privacy and confidentiality of your personal health information. As such, governments of all levels and insurances companies do not have access to identifiable information in your digital health records. The only exception of when identifiable information is disclosed is when it is used for lawful purposes or when you have provided consent.
14. I don’t have a right to access my health record.
As a Canadian, you have a right to access your health record. You can make a formal request to access your health records through your health record trustee. A health record trustee is responsible for proper use and management of your records and, in most cases, this would be your health care provider.
There are also other ways to access your health records online. As mentioned in the above myths, the proliferation of EMRs is exponential. Modern EMRs such as AccessEMR have built-in patient portals or other personal health record systems for patients to view their records whenever they wish.
Learn more about AccessEMR
At Access eHealth Technologies, our goal is to provide a high-quality cloud-based medical software to the fastest-growing segment of the Canadian population—our seniors and the elderly. AccessEMR aims to accelerate the adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs) among long-term post-acute care facilities. With its built-in redundancy and security features, AccessEMR helps health care providers protect your health information, while providing access to authorized users with ease. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about our software, book a demo with us today.