Putting Patients at the Centre of Digital Care
From e-Health26 Track: Power to the Patient in Digital Care
Digital health is changing the relationship between patients and the healthcare system. As tools become more connected, accessible, and personalized, patients are playing a more active role in how they access information, prepare for care, and make decisions about their health. The Power to the Patient in Digital Care Track at e-Health26 will take a look at how digital solutions are helping create more informed patient-centred healthcare experiences.
Session highlights
In reproductive health, digital tools are expanding access to information and supporting more informed decision-making across every stage of care. Advancing Reproductive Health Through Digital Innovation: Insights from Research and Implementation, presented by Maria O’Leary, Hannah Richardson, and Justine Dol (IWK Health), examines how digital health solutions are being used to better support women throughout their reproductive health journeys. Drawing on research and implementation experience, the session highlights the importance of designing digital solutions that are not only scalable, but equitable, responsive, and grounded in the realities of patient needs.
The ability for patients to carry their health information with them is another key step toward more connected and empowering care experiences. In Bridging Provinces with the Patient Summary: How Patient-Mediated Access Improves Continuity of Care, Geordie Andrews (VeroSource Solutions Inc), Dr. Rashaad Bhyat (Canada Health Infoway), and Dr. Matthew Clarke (NS Health and IWK Health) explore how patient-mediated access to health information is improving continuity of care across provincial borders. Through real-world examples from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the session demonstrates how interoperability can move beyond theory to support more timely decisions, reduce information gaps, and place patients more directly at the centre of their care journeys.
Patient empowerment also begins before the appointment itself. Empowering Prepared Patients: Scaling a Pre-Consultation Communication Intervention to Enhance Efficiency, Continuity, and Engagement in Primary Care, presented by Sebastien Lessard and Tracy Milner (Akinox), looks at how digital pre-visit tools can strengthen communication between patients and providers. By integrating secure forms into existing booking systems, the initiative helps patients better prepare for consultations while improving workflow efficiency and supporting more focused, patient-centered interactions.
Together, these sessions reflect a much broader shift in healthcare delivery, one where patients are not passive participants, but active partners in their care. From access to information to communication and continuity, the Track highlights how digital innovation can support more collaborative, responsive, and empowering healthcare experiences.
Review the e-Health26 Agenda
The Power to the Patient in Digital Care Track offers a closer look at how digital tools are reshaping patient engagement across the healthcare system. Take a few minutes to review the e-Health26 Agenda to find the sessions that align with your priorities—use the colour-coded filters to refine your view—and register for the conference if you haven’t yet.
