This post is part of the YummyMummyClub.ca and Canada Health Infoway #DigitalHealthAndYou sponsored program. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.
We knew there would be changes when we moved out of the city to rural Salt Spring Island, B.C., but we didn’t really know WHAT the changes would be.
We did what prep we could, loading up on toilet paper, and purchasing a vacuum sealer for our “bulk purchases”, but we got it all wrong.
The things we really miss out on are far more important.
It took us over a year to find a doctor and we did so many visits to the ER for basic health stuff, I was starting to feel like a regular.
And even when we did finally get our doctor and started working on catching up on our Health Checks, it was made even more difficult because of our location.
We have an amazing hospital, but we don’t have access to a lot of other specialist medical services. If we needed specialized tests, we had to go off island.
And going off island, well, that takes a while. Our little dude needed hearing tests and this required that the three kids and I catch a 9am ferry, and then drive for over an hour to get to Nanaimo, where the specialist was. Before I left the house that morning, I panicked while I searched for the referral paperwork, our ferry pass, and the cooler of snacks I packed to keep the children content.
The kids were happy during the drive to the ferry and the wait for the boat, but during the half hour crossing they started to get bored. Another long drive to the doctor’s office, and then we had to wait around another hour for our appointment. All of this for a half hour test! He passed it with flying colours, so that means he’s just ignoring us. I was exhausted, the kids were exhausted, and we still needed to get home.
Taking all your troops to an appointment is never fun, but when it requires a full day, multiple meals and a lot of waiting around, the kids get really cranky! When you arrive home 12 hours later at 7pm, dragging the kids in your wake, it is hard to feel like you have accomplished anything at all by going to the appointment.
It is Chaos.
I never knew that this could even be an issue. I always had access to whatever I needed, and now I shake my head at my previous frustration of battling traffic to my OB/GYN appointments in the city.
Yes, we get access to health care, and in fact our ferry transport is covered as well when you live rural, but isn’t access to EASY and ACCESSIBLE health care also a good option?
I know it is unrealistic to have every specialist available in every small town across the country, but I love hearing what options we do have for improvements. Technology is making its way into our health system, and having a digital-friendly healthcare system will not just save us time, but also save the medical system money.
Introducing easy things like:
- Online bookings (imagine it moms, just booking all those kids appointments on your laptop instead of waiting on hold for an hour).
- Online lab results and health records so no matter how chaotic your morning is, you have all the info your specialist needs to treat you.
- Health apps on your phone for easy management of health treatments and records.
- Digital Prescriptions (how many times have you lost that slip of paper among all the kids paraphernalia you haul around).
- Online Records (for those of us who like to move around a little!)
And you know what the best part is? All of these developments are happening. Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Canada Health Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of information and communications technology projects in Canada.
This means, that things WILL get better. Check out http://www.betterhealthtogether.ca/ for more information on how Canada Health Infoway is helping making a difference in Canadians lives through improved Digital health projects.
And I will cross my fingers that we remain healthy and are able to manage any concerns that come up with the resources on the island, or that these advancements keep happening so when we do need them, they are there! ‘’
Digital health tools and online access to personal health information is improving health care for Canadians. Learn about the tools available to you and your family, and how they can help you manage your health care at www.betterhealthtogether.ca.
Not sure if the tech-route is right for you? Tech blogger Eileen Fisher tells you all about the online support and apps available to you and how you can use them.
Then, Dr. Kim Foster is going to teach you how digital health tools can change the way you interact with your health care team.