Information
February 1997
Health and the Information Highway
Introduction
In the February 18, 1997 Budget, the Government of Canada announced funding of $50 million over three years to begin developing a national strategy for a Canadian Health Information System. With the collaboration of the provinces, territories, industry, and other stakeholders, the Strategy will enable all Canadians to benefit from the opportunities of health through the Information Highway.
Background
The evidence on which health care providers base their decisions is crucial to improving the management and cost efficiency of the health care system. The development of a national health information system accessible to all those in the health system will ensure that accurate, up-to-date information is on hand when it is needed. The recent National Forum on Health report advocated a federally-led strategy to integrate existing health information into a national health information network.
Specific recommendations called for action by the Minister of Health, in cooperation with provincial and territorial governments and other stakeholders, to develop a national strategy to put in place an integrated health information system.
Recent reports have called for the development of a Canadian Health Information System. These include the Information Highway Advisory Council report, Connection Community Content: The Challenge of the Information Highway; the federal response to this report, Building the Information Society: Moving Canada into the 21st Century; and the September 1996, Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry and Education (CANARIE) document Towards a Canadian Health Iway: Vision, Opportunities and Future Steps.
At the recent Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health, it was agreed a national strategy for a Canadian Health Information System be developed. The provinces and territories are either implementing or are in the planning stage of their own health information systems. Both Newfoundland and Alberta have experimented with two-way interactive computerized audio-video technology for remote consultation and continuing medical and health education.
The Alberta pilot linked rural practitioners in Drumheller with specialists at the University of Calgary, 136 kilometres apart. These types of remote diagnostic initiatives demonstrate that critical information can be exchanged between experts using new technology solutions.
The provinces acknowledge that the federal government should provide the national leadership to ensure that the strategy for a Canadian Health Information System is developed. It is envisioned as a network of networks, applications and people that collectively support a wide range of health- related systems, activities and services in support of Canadians across the county.
Health Canada Initiative
As a federal contribution to a Canadian Health Information System, Health Canada is proposing a three-pronged initiative:
A National Health Surveillance Network
The National Health Surveillance Network will enable the national and international surveillance of diseases and other potential risks or threats to health, and allow them to be dealt with on a timely basis. This will greatly improve the capacity for disease prevention and health promotion, and result in significant savings for Canada's health care system and improved health of Canadians.
A Population Health Clearinghouse
Health Canada will, as an initial step, consolidate public health information resources already in place and supported by the Department, and will make them electronically available by establishing a Population Health Clearinghouse.
This will provide Canadians with access to up-to-date, reliable information on health- related issues (e.g., tobacco, drugs, nutrition, etc.) enabling them to make informed health decisions.
A First Nations Health Information System
The First Nations Health Information System (HIS), which will be distributed to approximately 400 First Nations communities across Canada, is a unique community-based comprehensive computerized system which was developed by Health Canada's Medical Services Branch in partnership with, and for, First Nations living on reserve. The HIS will track information on a variety of issues/topics, such as chronic and communicable diseases, suicides, prescription drug use, vaccinations, environmental health, substance abuse, and patient records. It will facilitate health program delivery, management, planning and evaluation and it will help to improve the health of First Nations. For example, Health Canada and the First Nations will now be able to establish priorities and review results at the community level.
Health Canada Infrastructure
Health Canada will facilitate the development of an infrastructure in order to provide national leadership in the creation of a Canadian Health Information System. In collaboration with the provinces, territories and other stakeholders, Health Canada will take actions to invest in, and maintain, a true Canadian Health Information System.
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