Health care delivery

Dispelling myths about disability in Africa

Many people in rural African communities still believe that disability is caused by supernatural forces, curses and as ‘punishment’ for wrongdoings. Coming face-to-face with disability could end supernatural myth-making in Africa … READ MORE

Lives can absolutely be saved: Alberta doctor creates online patient referral system

Denis Vincent received a $50,000 grant from the Canadian Medical Association to market the software. Dr. Vincent has rolled out a new computer system in 35 medical clinics, where doctors can refer patients to specialists quickly while … READ MORE

How much does the ‘average’ Canadian pay for public health care?

About $5,789 per year — but it depends on what you think ‘average’ means. What you’ll have more trouble doing is deciding whether that spending represents a good value. National Post, Postmedia Richard Warnica, … READ MORE

NHS holds on to top spot in healthcare survey

The NHS has been judged the best, safest and most affordable healthcare system out of 11 countries analysed and ranked by experts from the influential Commonwealth Fund health think tank. ‘Don’t tell me NHS workers aren’t … READ MORE

The pace and scope of ‘patient centricity’ is too slow and narrow

The phrase “patient centricity” makes us all feel good. Health professionals adopt the term regularly, spend more time with patients, express more concern, and try to push the policy envelope just that little bit further. Thank … READ MORE

Online doctor consultations take off in Canada

Questions raised over quality of consultations and universality principle. Virtual medical services that connect family physicians and patients with minor illnesses and injuries are popping up online in Canada, leading to questions … READ MORE

Why doctors hate electronic records — and what could change that

The health care industrial complex has spent billions of dollars and untold amounts of time trying to make medical records as flexible, invisible and unobtrusive as possible for patients and clinicians alike. Dr. R. Adams Dudley, who … READ MORE

Bonjour-santé service asks court to stop health ministry audit

RAMQ investigating whether for-fee appointment booking service is against the law. An online service that finds clients a medical appointment within 48 hours for a fee has turned to Québec Superior Court to stop an audit by … READ MORE

Alberta’s health system needs overhaul, auditor general says

Auditor general Merwan Saher wants the health-care system to make a ‘quantum leap’. Patients’ health information should flow to all of that person’s care providers, auditor general Merwan Saher says in his … READ MORE

Could ‘curbside consultations’ go digital?

It was once commonplace for primary care physicians to seek informal guidance from specialists regarding a patient’s care during a “curbside consultation.” This phrase, still in use today, is said to have come about … READ MORE

Long wait times defy quick fixes

The solution is really system wide. About a decade ago, it seemed obvious that Canada was going to need a lot more orthopedic surgeons to replace more hips, knees and other joints, in part due to our aging population. To prepare to … READ MORE

New kind of house call comes to The Woodlands

Sarah Rhea was out of town on a weekend business trip when her husband called, worried that their 4-year-old son’s fever, sore throat and cough were worse than the day before. Diagnosing ear infections with a new smartphone … READ MORE

Anatomy of a referral: Why wait times for specialists are still too long

Nancy is “beyond frustrated” with how long her family has had to wait to see specialists. She has been waiting 16 months to see a rheumatologist, and has been told there’s a two-year wait to a pain management centre to help with … READ MORE

Mark Pickup challenged AADL policy to get a replacement power chair

Mark Pickup is a gifted writer who chooses words thoughtfully, methodically and philosophically. So it’s no big surprise to hear the phrase he used to describe his experience last week. I have been disabled with aggressive multiple … READ MORE

Controversial changes to physiotherapy coverage put on ice: Alberta Health Services

‘The hardest hit people would have been the working poor or people who are struggling to get by.’ Alberta Health Services has backed away from planned changes that would have restricted physiotherapy services now covered. … READ MORE

Reducing frustration with health care for adults with chronic medical conditions

Navigating the U.S. health care system can be frustrating for anyone, but for adults with chronic medical conditions, the frustration can become overwhelming as they juggle multiple providers, medications and treatments. A pain point … READ MORE

Aids to Daily Living program could be outsourced to Alberta Blue Cross: AUPE

The province’s largest public sector union has some concerns about an anticipated move by the government to outsource the Aids to Daily Living program. Alberta Aids to Daily Living, AADL helps Albertans with a long-term disability, … READ MORE

Publicly funding drugs for all Canadians could save over $4 billion a year

Universal public coverage of 117 essential medicines could address the needs of most Canadians for pharmaceutical drugs, and possibly save more than $4 billion a year, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical … READ MORE

Four ways Canada can shorten wait times for specialists

Vanessa Milne, Joshua Tepper & Sachin Pendharkar, Healthy Debate February 23, 2017 Two weeks ago, we reported on some of the difficulties around referrals to specialists. Shortly after our story ran, the Canadian Institute of … READ MORE

Caring for special-needs children at home brings high cost

Study finds that home care is beneficial for the children, but it comes at great cost to family members or guardians. U.S. families provide nearly $36 billion [USD] annually in uncompensated medical care at home to children who have … READ MORE

Ontario’s ambitious Patients First legislation met with hope and skepticism

Carole Ann Alloway’s husband, Bill, had seven ankle surgeries due to recurring infections that were eventually found to be caused by bacteria on the hardware that had been inserted 30 years ago. Elderly’s family caregivers need … READ MORE

Keeping nursing home patients out of hospital

A significant number of hospitalizations among nursing home patients are potentially avoidable, several studies in recent years have shown. What’s more, skilled care patients do better overall when they don’t have to be moved … READ MORE

Electronic health records ‘inflict enormous pain’ on doctors

Electronic health records slow doctors down and distract them from meaningful face time caring for patients. Hidden treasure. View from behind a cataloging desk, Army Medical Library, Washington, DC, ca. 1955. National Library of … READ MORE

Many treatment guidelines are written by experts with financial conflicts

Physicians typically rely on treatment guidelines issued by medical associations, but a new study finds that many experts involved in assembling these guidelines in Canada have financial ties to drug makers. And the study authors … READ MORE

Canada spends over $400 million on medicine that harms seniors

Canada spends more than $400 million annually on drugs prescribed to seniors even though the medicines should be avoided for older patients, according to new UBC research. PEI doctor warns about dangers of over-medication. Dr. Roland … READ MORE

Telemedicine sucks as much as in-person care

Telemedicine proponents have argued for years that virtual care is at least as effective as in-person care delivered in a traditional clinical setting. Based on new research, they may be more right than they had thought. Neil Versel, … READ MORE

Us and Them: Why patient-defined health teams don’t communicate well

Patients and their families have many people who contribute to their care – different types of providers in different departments and institutions. Yet, despite sharing the goal of improving the same patient’s health, providers … READ MORE

Family technology rules: What kids expect of parents

Put your phone away when I’m talking to you. Don’t text while you’re driving — not even at red lights. Stop posting photos of me without my permission. A new study from University of Washington human centered design and … READ MORE

Remote orthopaedic care successful with common conditions

In new study, nearly 80 percent of rural fracture patients avoided travel to an urban medical center, saving $3.7 million in transportation costs. “These results show that you don’t need an expensive, elaborate system to … READ MORE

Telemedicine popular with the young and chronically ill

“In 5 to 10 years, we’re not going to talk about telehealth, it’s just going to be health.” – John Kornak LAS VEGAS — Barriers to telemedicine are persistent, but physician groups are looking for ways … READ MORE

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