The Engaged and Empowered Patient: Innovative Paradigms for Health Information Technologies

Dr. David Wiljer
Director, Knowledge Management & Innovation Princess Margaret Hospital,
& Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Wednesday, March 19, 2008
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Davis Centre 1304, University of Waterloo

View Video of Presentation in HI Alive Archive: Research Seminars Archive 2007-2008

Abstract
The transformative power of Health Information Technologies is emerging with the widespread use of Collaborative, Adaptive and Interactive (CAI) applications. CAI technologies are fundamentally revolutionizing the traditional flow of data as patients become active participants in their care. Providing patients with timely access to their personal health information is a basic building block towards empowerment and self-management for patients with chronic conditions. At the same time, social networking is becoming an important conduit for the dissemination of health information as health care professionals interact with patients online. This presentation will present two approaches for providing patients with personal information and support. In addition, the implications of the empowered patient for the health care system and the role of CAI technologies within the new paradigms for care will be explored. Schedules that take into account time of day demand fluctuations and that appear to accommodate demand can still result in long waiting times.
 

About the Speaker
Dr. David Wiljer is the Director of Knowledge Management and eHealth Innovation for Oncology Education and the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. He is also the Chair of the Canadian Committee for Patient Accessible Health Records (CCPAEHR), a national working group dedicated to involving patients in their EHR. With an expertise in knowledge exchange and impact assessment, he has led the research, development, implementation and assessment of complex informatics initiatives for cancer care. His work includes Caring Voices, an online social networking software, Lymph-Line, a research initiative funded by CBCRA to support Lymphedema patients, and Getting Results, a portal providing malignant hematology patients access to elements of their health record, the recipient of a Minister of Health innovation award. David recently received the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN) Gold Star Award for his contribution in the field of informatics for patient education.