IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Congestive heart failure, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are three of the leading causes of death in the U.S. The use of telemedicine to help manage chronic diseases such as these can yield clear benefits including fewer and shorter hospital stays, fewer emergency room visits, less severe illness, and even fewer deaths, as reported in a study published in Telemedicine and e-Health, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Telemedicine and e-Health website until October 10, 2014.

Read more: Telemedicine Northern Canadian Reality

Sander is a Saskatoon physician who has been working with eHealth Saskatchewan on several of its technology initiatives in addition to regularly using its products in his medical practice.

I am concerned that recent comments by acting provincial auditor Judy Ferguson do not fully depict the positive impact our province's current electronic health record is having on Saskatchewan residents.

Read more: CA: Saskatchewan: eHealth benefits patients already

What is it with the B.C. government and expensive, poorly managed computer projects?

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has learned via whistleblowers that B.C. Emergency Health Services, which runs the B.C. Ambulance Service, has dumped its highly touted, $2.8 million Electronic Patient Care Record system – before it even went into use.

A posting on the BCEHS Intranet, obtained by the CTF, reports: “BCEHS has been working hard to develop an ePCR system our needs for reliability, quality and functionality and can integrate with existing systems in hospital emergency departments. Unfortunately, the vendor was unable to meet our business requirements.”

Read more: CA: British Columbia: Another expensive provincial computer foul-up

When a doctor and patient can’t meet in the same location, telemedicine is an expedient, closer-to-home option.

For patients in rural or remote places where there are no family doctors or specialists, or for those with limited mobility, it’s a remarkable technological advancement. Doctors don’t have to travel, nor do patients, and medical advice is delivered quickly.

Read more: CA: British Columbia: Your doctor will see – but not touch – you now. Telemedicine for tiny towns.