ACCESS 2022 aims to improve access to patient data

MONTREAL – Canada Health Infoway has announced the launch of ACCESS 2022, a movement to promote a future where all Canadians have access to their health information through the availability and use of digital health tools and services.

The result is expected to empower patients and improve health outcomes. All health system stakeholders – including clinicians and allied professionals, government bodies, industry partners, patients and caregivers – are invited and encouraged to commit to the vision and join the ACCESS 2022 movement.

“As Canadians, we’re proud of our healthcare system. For 50 years it has stood for equality and compassion. But Canada is no longer a world leader in healthcare. We’re in the innovation age, but our healthcare has not kept up, and for all our sakes, we need to change,” said Michael Green (pictured), president and CEO, Infoway, a federally funded, not-for-profit organization.

A recent survey conducted by Infoway found that only 22 per cent of Canadians have access to their health information online, and 73 per cent of those who don’t, want it.

Green announced the launch of ACCESS 2022 at Infoway’s annual Partnership Conference. Held during Digital Health Week, the conference brings together system stakeholders and partners to celebrate the successes and address challenges in transforming health service delivery.

“It all starts by making a pledge and working together. For this vision and effort to be successful, we need engagement and activation across the entire health sector,” Green said.

“ACCESS 2022 will bring together the collective expertise of an agile technology sector, the knowledge base of health system experts, and the insights and experiences of patients and caregivers, to ultimately meet and exceed the demands of Canadians in the 21st century,” Green said.

In today’s digital age, Canadians are shopping, banking and booking travel online because it’s convenient and efficient. Overwhelmingly, they want a digital system that is easier to navigate and more patient-centric with better service and access to their health information.

Infoway’s Lynne Zucker is executive vice president, ACCESS Digital Health. She is responsible for the ACCESS Digital Health Division, which has a mandate to develop, launch and promote the ACCESS ecosystem to enable:

• Canadians to access their health information and to interact with their health providers from any device;
• Patients to use digital tools to access and receive services without having to be face to face with their providers; and
• Providers to access information and tools needed to care for patients and effectively connect and collaborate with each other.

Prior to joining Infoway in 2009, Lynne worked for more than 20 years in the IT industry, including leadership roles at Sun Microsystems and Apple Computer. She is a professional engineer, holding a BASc in systems design engineering and a MASc in the management of technology, both from the University of Waterloo. Lynne also serves as a director for IHE International.

To learn more and join the movement, visit www.Access2022.ca.

About Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government.