Web-based patient access to personal health information is limited but increasing in Canada and i... more Web-based patient access to personal health information is limited but increasing in Canada and internationally. This exploratory study aimed to increase understanding of how Web-based access to laboratory test results in British Columbia (Canada), which has been broadly available since 2010, affects patients' experiences. In November 2013, we surveyed adults in British Columbia who had had a laboratory test in the previous 12 months. Using a retrospective cohort design, we compared reported wait-time for results, test result comprehension, and anxiety levels of "service users" who had Web-based access to their test results (n=2047) with those of a general population panel that did not have Web-based access (n=1245). The vast majority of service users (83.99%, 95% CI 82.31-85.67) said they received their results within "a few days", compared to just over a third of the comparison group (37.84%, 95% CI 34.96-40.73). Most in both groups said they understood their test results, but the rate was lower for service users than the comparison group (75.55%, 95% CI 73.58-77.49 vs 84.69%, 95% CI 82.59-86.81). There was no significant difference between groups in levels of reported anxiety after receiving test results. While most patients who received their laboratory test results online reported little anxiety after receiving their results and were satisfied with the service, there may be opportunities to improve comprehension of results.
Benefits from information and communication technology tend to grow over time as system use matur... more Benefits from information and communication technology tend to grow over time as system use matures. This study examines pharmacists' experiences with provincial drug information systems (DIS) across Canada. At the time of survey, two provinces had more mature DIS (more than five years) and three provinces had less mature DIS (five years or less).
This year's Health Care in Canada report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Inform... more This year's Health Care in Canada report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Information profiles what is changing, and what is not, in Canada's healthcare system, including a selection of findings related to this year's focus topic: primary healthcare.
This year&amp... more This year's Health Care in Canada report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Information profiles what is changing, and what is not, in Canada's healthcare system, including a selection of findings related to this year's focus topic: primary healthcare.
Modern healthcare is more complex than ever before, with a broader range of care providers, organ... more Modern healthcare is more complex than ever before, with a broader range of care providers, organizations, diagnostic approaches and treatments. The result is that accurate and timely information is more important than ever. In response, clinical use of health information technology has grown significantly in recent years and there is growing interest in the use of consumer health solutions. In this article, the authors discuss the current landscape of the latter in Canada, enablers and barriers to their adoption and our readiness for change.
ABSTRACT There has been a growing interest in patient-centred care, rapid technology development,... more ABSTRACT There has been a growing interest in patient-centred care, rapid technology development, increasing adoption of digital health by clinicians and consumers and a vibrant dialogue about the associated policy implications and options. In this response, the authors of the lead essay discuss the valuable perspectives raised by the commentators about consumer health solutions, an area that is evolving quickly and has the potential to fundamentally change how several types of healthcare are delivered. Much has changed in the year since we wrote the first draft of the lead essay in this issue. There has been a growing interest in patient-centred care, rapid technology development, increasing adoption of digital health by clinicians and consumers and a vibrant dialogue about the associated policy implications and options. We thank all of the authors of commentaries in this issue of HealthcarePapers for contributing to this discourse. Each brings valuable perspectives to the important conversations that are needed in an area that is evolving quickly and has the potential to fundamentally change how several types of healthcare are delivered.
Until now, we have had little systematic knowledge of the medical imaging landscape in Canada. An... more Until now, we have had little systematic knowledge of the medical imaging landscape in Canada. An overview of recent trends and emerging issues is essential to sound decision-making at all levels.
Health Reform Observer - Observatoire des Réformes de Santé, 2014
ABSTRACT In 2010, the federal government's Economic Action Plan funded Canada Health Info... more ABSTRACT In 2010, the federal government's Economic Action Plan funded Canada Health Infoway to co-invest with provinces, territories, and health care providers in electronic medical records (EMRs) in primary care. The goal is to help improve access to care, quality of health services, and productivity of the health system, as well as to deliver economic benefits. The decision to fund EMRs was consistent with a long-term framework for digital health established in consultation with stakeholders across the country, spurred by analysis demonstrating the economic impact of such investments and data on Canada's low rate of EMR use in primary care compared with other countries. The decision reflected widespread public and stakeholder consensus regarding the importance of such investments. EMR adoption has more than doubled since 2006, with evaluations identifying efficiency and patient care benefits (e.g., reduced time managing laboratory test results and fewer adverse drug events) in community-based practices. These benefits are expected to rise further as EMR adoption continues to grow and practices gain more experience with their use.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2015
This paper describes an approach which has been applied to value national outcomes of investments... more This paper describes an approach which has been applied to value national outcomes of investments by federal, provincial and territorial governments, clinicians and healthcare organizations in digital health. Hypotheses are used to develop a model, which is revised and populated based upon the available evidence. Quantitative national estimates and qualitative findings are produced and validated through structured peer review processes. This methodology has applied in four studies since 2008.
Web-based patient access to personal health information is limited but increasing in Canada and i... more Web-based patient access to personal health information is limited but increasing in Canada and internationally. This exploratory study aimed to increase understanding of how Web-based access to laboratory test results in British Columbia (Canada), which has been broadly available since 2010, affects patients' experiences. In November 2013, we surveyed adults in British Columbia who had had a laboratory test in the previous 12 months. Using a retrospective cohort design, we compared reported wait-time for results, test result comprehension, and anxiety levels of "service users" who had Web-based access to their test results (n=2047) with those of a general population panel that did not have Web-based access (n=1245). The vast majority of service users (83.99%, 95% CI 82.31-85.67) said they received their results within "a few days", compared to just over a third of the comparison group (37.84%, 95% CI 34.96-40.73). Most in both groups said they understood their test results, but the rate was lower for service users than the comparison group (75.55%, 95% CI 73.58-77.49 vs 84.69%, 95% CI 82.59-86.81). There was no significant difference between groups in levels of reported anxiety after receiving test results. While most patients who received their laboratory test results online reported little anxiety after receiving their results and were satisfied with the service, there may be opportunities to improve comprehension of results.
Benefits from information and communication technology tend to grow over time as system use matur... more Benefits from information and communication technology tend to grow over time as system use matures. This study examines pharmacists' experiences with provincial drug information systems (DIS) across Canada. At the time of survey, two provinces had more mature DIS (more than five years) and three provinces had less mature DIS (five years or less).
This year's Health Care in Canada report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Inform... more This year's Health Care in Canada report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Information profiles what is changing, and what is not, in Canada's healthcare system, including a selection of findings related to this year's focus topic: primary healthcare.
This year&amp... more This year's Health Care in Canada report prepared by the Canadian Institute for Health Information profiles what is changing, and what is not, in Canada's healthcare system, including a selection of findings related to this year's focus topic: primary healthcare.
Modern healthcare is more complex than ever before, with a broader range of care providers, organ... more Modern healthcare is more complex than ever before, with a broader range of care providers, organizations, diagnostic approaches and treatments. The result is that accurate and timely information is more important than ever. In response, clinical use of health information technology has grown significantly in recent years and there is growing interest in the use of consumer health solutions. In this article, the authors discuss the current landscape of the latter in Canada, enablers and barriers to their adoption and our readiness for change.
ABSTRACT There has been a growing interest in patient-centred care, rapid technology development,... more ABSTRACT There has been a growing interest in patient-centred care, rapid technology development, increasing adoption of digital health by clinicians and consumers and a vibrant dialogue about the associated policy implications and options. In this response, the authors of the lead essay discuss the valuable perspectives raised by the commentators about consumer health solutions, an area that is evolving quickly and has the potential to fundamentally change how several types of healthcare are delivered. Much has changed in the year since we wrote the first draft of the lead essay in this issue. There has been a growing interest in patient-centred care, rapid technology development, increasing adoption of digital health by clinicians and consumers and a vibrant dialogue about the associated policy implications and options. We thank all of the authors of commentaries in this issue of HealthcarePapers for contributing to this discourse. Each brings valuable perspectives to the important conversations that are needed in an area that is evolving quickly and has the potential to fundamentally change how several types of healthcare are delivered.
Until now, we have had little systematic knowledge of the medical imaging landscape in Canada. An... more Until now, we have had little systematic knowledge of the medical imaging landscape in Canada. An overview of recent trends and emerging issues is essential to sound decision-making at all levels.
Health Reform Observer - Observatoire des Réformes de Santé, 2014
ABSTRACT In 2010, the federal government's Economic Action Plan funded Canada Health Info... more ABSTRACT In 2010, the federal government's Economic Action Plan funded Canada Health Infoway to co-invest with provinces, territories, and health care providers in electronic medical records (EMRs) in primary care. The goal is to help improve access to care, quality of health services, and productivity of the health system, as well as to deliver economic benefits. The decision to fund EMRs was consistent with a long-term framework for digital health established in consultation with stakeholders across the country, spurred by analysis demonstrating the economic impact of such investments and data on Canada's low rate of EMR use in primary care compared with other countries. The decision reflected widespread public and stakeholder consensus regarding the importance of such investments. EMR adoption has more than doubled since 2006, with evaluations identifying efficiency and patient care benefits (e.g., reduced time managing laboratory test results and fewer adverse drug events) in community-based practices. These benefits are expected to rise further as EMR adoption continues to grow and practices gain more experience with their use.
Studies in health technology and informatics, 2015
This paper describes an approach which has been applied to value national outcomes of investments... more This paper describes an approach which has been applied to value national outcomes of investments by federal, provincial and territorial governments, clinicians and healthcare organizations in digital health. Hypotheses are used to develop a model, which is revised and populated based upon the available evidence. Quantitative national estimates and qualitative findings are produced and validated through structured peer review processes. This methodology has applied in four studies since 2008.
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Papers by Jennifer Zelmer