(File photo/CKOM News staff)

By CKOM News

Virtual health care to grow in Saskatchewan through pandemic

Apr 20, 2021 | 3:34 PM

Using technology to access a doctor as well as our own personal medical information is to become even more common in Saskatchewan as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Saskatchewan’s government is getting $6.5 million from the federal government through a bilateral agreement to expand virtual care. An action plan to improve and expand virtual care is being developed by the province, but the health ministry is already describing some of the initiatives it is undertaking.

Those tested for COVID-19 could soon be notified of their negative result through an auto-dialer system that is to be rolled out. The system would notify people by phone or text within 24 hours of a lab confirming their negative test result. Those who test positive will be phoned by public health.

Test results for COVID-19 can be checked online through MySaskHealthRecord.

Those recovering from COVID-19 at home could be part of a remote monitoring system, which is already being used to support more than 1,000 people in the province. The system allows one health-care provider to monitor up to 100 patients at a time. That system can also support patients with other health issues.

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Telehealth is to be replaced with a new videoconferencing solution to provide patients an option of meeting with a doctor virtually. During the pandemic, more than 1.7 million virtual appointments have been held between patients and physicians.

“We know that investing today will improve patients’ access to care and support privacy and security of health information,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in a news release.

“It will also help relieve pressure on the health system during the pandemic.”

Investing in technology that improves the flow of information is important, said Dr. Vern Behl, the senior medical information officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). He says it helps patients and their families be more involved in their care and supports better communication between health professionals and teams.