Released on October 16, 2008
Saskatchewan is expanding an innovative project that provides practical health information to people while they visit doctors' offices.
"Health Tips" uses wireless technology to deliver video health messages in physicians' office waiting rooms. It can be instantly updated by remote. The project began as a pilot in 20 clinics, and has now expanded to 100 locations across Saskatchewan.
"Our government wants to ensure that people make healthy lifestyle choices based on reliable, current information," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This service provides useful, timely, health advice. It also encourages patients to ask their doctors more informed questions, because it's available when they're already thinking about their health."
The video is regularly updated to include seasonal or timely topics such as West Nile Virus, flu shots and drug coverage changes. It offers information on subjects including cancer services, the surgical care process, medical coverage, healthy lifestyles, and a variety of specific health conditions. The Saskatchewan Medical Association participated in development of the video content, and strongly supports and promotes the program.
"The Saskatchewan Medical Association has been proud to support this initiative from the outset," SMA president Dr. Milo Fink said. "Providing patients with information in this way not only contributes to their overall health knowledge, it helps enrich patient-physician contact so that both parties are able to get the most out of an appointment."
"Preventative medicine is the mainstay of family practice, and promotion of preventative medicine is very important in my practice," Regina physician Dr. Susanne Arndt, who is participating in the program, said. "Patients have expressed to me that they appreciate having the opportunity to learn about their health as they wait. The feedback from patients has been very positive."
"We need to search out new and creative ideas, and make the most of opportunities to provide people with information," McMorris said. "This project is a great example of an inventive application of digital technology by a Saskatchewan company."
Saskatchewan Health is providing approximately $150,000 in funding this year to operate the program.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: khill@health.gov.sk.ca