By the numbers: the future of Canadian healthcare

The Canadian healthcare system is in need of further transformation toward efficiency and patient-centered care. The latest findings from Infoway’s 2023 Canadian Digital Health Survey, released last week, are a reminder of some of the challenges we face, but also demonstrate opportunity, and a promising shift.

The survey findings paint a vivid portrait of Canadians’ desire for a healthcare system that is not only interconnected but deeply patient-centered.

Healthcare Built for the Patient

Canadians overwhelmingly want a healthcare system in which the necessary health information seamlessly follows from doctor to specialist, and patients can access their test results and treatment plans from anywhere, at any time.

Access to health information and digital services, like prescription renewals and managing appointments, are desired by patients for obvious reasons: better care and less wasted time. Over 80 per cent of Canadians who have accessed their health information say they are better able to manage their health as a result of having robust access to their health records, with almost half having avoided unnecessary visits to their physician or the ER.

We also saw 83 per cent of respondents express interest in e-prescriptions — a digital solution considered a pioneer in healthcare innovation — with many either already using or wanting the option for electronic prescription renewals. This continuing shift towards digital health solutions not only improves convenience for patients by eliminating the need for paper scripts and potential pharmacy wait times, but also reduces administrative burdens on all healthcare providers involved, allowing them to dedicate more of their time to patient care.

It’s clear that when health information can flow seamlessly between patients and providers, we are indeed empowering patients to take a more active role in their health journey and enabling patient-centric decision-making. We also know clinicians benefit from access to a complete view of their patients' health record, reducing the administrative burden of obtaining health information, allowing for more tailored care, and ultimately, improving patient outcomes.

When considering the value of accessing personal health information (PHI), over 80 per cent Canadian respondents agree their health information should be electronically shared among healthcare providers (HCPs) and would like innovative technologies that allow HCPs to communicate, access, and share their personal health information. However, in the last year we also saw that a quarter of Canadians are frustrated by having to repeat health information to different providers, as well as one-in-ten having to repeat a diagnostic test, meaning millions of unnecessary tests are clogging up our health system.

The gap between the public’s experiences versus expectations of the healthcare system explains people’s growing interest in improved electronic sharing of and access to PHI, creating a system that supports effective communication and prioritizes patient-centric care.

Transformation is still needed, but we aren’t starting from zero. A significant amount of work has been done and is underway to advance connected care for Canadians. In 2023, approximately 40 per cent of Canadians surveyed said they have accessed their PHI online, which has steadily increased from the roughly 5 per cent who had done so a decade ago. Nine-in-ten clinicians now use electronic records, and the majority can access key information like the history of test results or medications.

There is significant momentum advancing the healthcare system Canadians are demanding.

Bringing Innovation into Patient-Centric Care

Strong consensus to modernize the healthcare system and make better use of data is present, but important considerations for advancing digital health still remain.

It is evident that Canadians are supportive of integrating innovative technologies into our healthcare system, with data revealing a significant level of comfort among respondents. When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), half of Canadians express comfort with AI's utilization as a healthcare tool. Furthermore, nearly 60 per cent of Canadians indicate a willingness to permit scientists to utilize personal health data for AI research, provided that informed consent is obtained.

However, amid this enthusiasm for technological advancement, concerns also loom. The loss of human interaction with healthcare providers emerges as the primary apprehension among Canadians regarding AI integration, followed by worries about privacy and the potential liability associated with care decisions made using AI algorithms.

Nevertheless, these survey results reveal a prevailing sentiment among Canadians: a desire to remain at the forefront of healthcare innovation globally. Despite concerns, there exists a tangible appetite for the integration of AI into our healthcare system, driven by the recognition of its potential to enhance patient care and outcomes.

As the integration of technology into our healthcare progresses, we must address these concerns while also recognizing the opportunities presented by innovation. By prioritizing patient privacy, maintaining the human touch in healthcare delivery, and ensuring transparency in AI-driven decision-making, we can harness the full potential of innovative technologies to advance healthcare in Canada while preserving the values that underpin it.

This commitment is echoed in initiatives such as the Shared pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap, which serves as a blueprint for enhancing connectivity within Canada's healthcare ecosystem. By enabling the seamless exchange of health information across care settings and even across borders, the Roadmap lays the foundation for more efficient and effective patient care while enabling data-informed decisions to be enacted.

I see the findings from our survey not only reflecting the perceptions of Canadians, but serving as a call for action. Canadians are ready for a more connected and patient-centric healthcare system, one that harnesses the power of digital technologies to enhance efficiency, empower patients, and improve health outcomes.

^{Simon Hagens is the Vice President, Performance for Canada Health Infoway}