Physician IT

Clinician e-health support network launched

TORONTO – Physicians, nurses and pharmacists who are considering using e-health will soon benefit from the expertise of a network of colleagues, experienced in e-health, who will provide mentorship and help navigate barriers.

More than 90 clinicians (physicians, nurses and pharmacists) from nine provinces came together on September 15 to launch the Clinician eHealth Support Network, a peer-to-peer initiative. The healthcare providers will provide hands-on support to colleagues in their respective jurisdictions to help them address challenges and uncover the opportunities and efficiencies that are associated with e-health.

“With more and more clinicians recognizing there are benefits emerging as a result of the use of e-health, the Clinician eHealth Support Network will connect peers to help answer questions and share experiences from a perspective they can relate to,” said Richard Alvarez (pictured above, at left), President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway, the federally funded organization which invests with public sector partners to accelerate the growth of electronic health records across Canada.

“I commend the clinicians whose e-health leadership will benefit their peers by transferring the knowledge they’ve acquired. These peer leaders are paving the way for increased use of e-health among clinicians throughout Canada.”

(Pictured above are Richard Alvarez, left, chatting with Dr. Robyn Tamblin, Professor at McGill University's Faculty of Medicine, at the Toronto meeting.)

Members of the Clinician eHealth Support Network will support their clinician colleagues who are contemplating the use of electronic health record solutions by providing:

• Individual demonstrations of electronic health records technology

• Ongoing support and mentoring

• Assistance in goal-setting and prioritizing

• Support offered on-site and remotely

Clinicians who would like more information about peer-to-peer initiatives in development across Canada should visit www.infoway-inforoute.ca.

About Canada Health Infoway
Infoway is a federally funded, independent, not-for-profit organization that is leading the development and implementation of electronic health projects across Canada. Infoway works with provinces and territories to invest in electronic health projects, which support safer, more efficient healthcare. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these private and secure systems provide healthcare professionals with immediate access to complete and accurate patient information, enabling better decisions about diagnosis and treatment. The result is a sustainable healthcare system offering improved quality, accessibility, productivity and cost savings.