Health Infrastructure

928 articles:
Wait times
Emergency Care
Quality Improvement
Funding
by Keith Thompson

Making time for love and compassion in clinical encounters

What if we were to look at the five love languages in the context of the doctor-patient relationship. What if we replace the word “love” with “compassion?” How might this look within our dealings with patients?
by Maria Medeleanu Jeremy Piamonte Kenzie Murray Sarra Ali

Rethinking policy in a digital age: The role of blockchain technology in Canada

Blockchain technology may finally overcome the resistance within Ontario’s health-care system to changing how health data is shared and interacted with.
by Maddi Dellplain

Blockchain and the future of medicine

Move over Bitcoin, blockchain is no longer just for cryptocurrency. The technology could improve transparency, trust and efficiency in health-care settings. But what exactly is blockchain and how do we make the best use of it in health care?
by Danielle Martin Amanda Condon Tara Kiran Tara Kiran

Reimagining primary care

The primary care system needs to be restructured and Canadians want to see reforms that support continuous relationships with their doctor or health team Let’s not be afraid to act on their recommendations.
by Darren Cargill

Palliative pixie dust

Just as Disney World has grown and evolved, so must palliative care. The time for Ontario to update palliative care into the 21st century may have arrived.

Paying tribute to the good in our health-care system

There is immense work to be done in our fragile health-care system. But in honor of this World Health Worker Week, one patient living with bipolar disorder wants to pay tribute to all the goodness in health-care workers' hearts.

by Emma Arkell

Connecting the dots: Standardizing EMR data essential to improving care, easing burnout

The developers and engineers at eHealth are aiming to ensure that as patients move through the health-care system, their information follows them. But there are still obstacles to the development of effective electronic medical records (EMRs).
by David Campbell

Emergency brain surgery showed me the best of Ontario health care – and the worst

It’s true that when faced with a crisis, some of the best health-care professionals in the world are available to care for us. But that system is at its breaking point.
by Danielle Brown-Shreves Vanessa Wright Tara Kiran Tara Kiran

Team-based care key to alleviating primary-care crisis

Primary care is in crisis and there aren't enough doctors to go around. Done right, team-based care can expand the capacity of family doctors to care for more patients.
by Sarah Hobbs

Primary health care is everyone’s political responsibility. Let’s share the best solutions

In the wake of the recent federal-provincial health-care funding agreement, the time is now to be bold in Ontario and across Canada to deliver health care better and more equitably.
by Maddi Dellplain

‘Technology to help bridge the gap’: Smart homes and sensors ease caregiver burden

Smart home technology has become ubiquitous in recent years. Now researchers in Ottawa are finding ways to use this same technology to aid health-care workers, family caregivers, and allow patients to age in place.

by Maggie Keresteci Tara Kiran Tara Kiran

Give me a primary-care provider who understands me

What do Canadians want in a primary care doctor? The OurCare survey results highlight that an ongoing relationship between a clinician and patient is key.

by George Michaels

A chicken in every pot? How about a family doctor for every patient?

An innovative Quebec program sees a huge boost in access to primary care. Ontario may soon follow suit and pivot towards more neighborhood-based clinics to address the demand.

by Emma Arkell

Beam me up, doc: Adding touch and feel to virtual reality

New developments in virtual medicine could soon allow doctors to "touch" patients and provide even more comprehensive exams remotely.
by Lindsay Hedden Michael Green Tara Kiran Tara Kiran

Virtual care must be integrated into public system, not driven by profit

Virtual care is here to stay. But how it should be used and who should own the services are important to patients, OurCare survey shows.

by Emma Arkell

‘A new way to move people’: Fewer back injuries for health-care workers, more comfort for patients

New improvements to lifts and transfer devices could reduce the risks of work-related injury in health care staff and improve quality of care.
by Thuy-Nga (Tia) Pham Tara Kiran Tara Kiran

More than 6.5 million adults in Canada lack access to primary care

Results from the OurCare national survey estimate that more than one in five Canadian adults do not have access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner. It's time we invest in primary care.

by Maddi Dellplain

Model that predicts MS relapse highlights AI’s expanding role in health care

AI can be taught to do a lot. But can it help doctors make better clinical decisions? One MS clinic in Ontario is trialing an AI model that could help doctors determine how to treat their patients.

by Alika Lafontaine

There is no miracle cure to the health crisis – but here’s where to start  

Dr. Alika Lafontaine, president of the Canadian Medical Association, reflects on the problems and solutions facing a health-care system in crisis.

by Ted Lo

 ​​MAiD mental-health debate should be about ‘agency’, not ‘autonomy’

I do believe that the option of MAiD may be good for a very small number of patients. However, I believe the issue is not about “autonomy” but “agency.”

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