Social media and health care 

twitter-doctor

There is no denying that social media has had an impact in many areas. One of these areas includes healthcare. In a recent article, entitled “Blurred lines: the General Medical Council guidance on doctors and social media,” Nick Cork and Paul Grant explore the risks and benefits of social media in healthcare, how social media can change the role of the physician and what it ultimately means to be a medical professional.

Digital technology in the early 21st century has introduced significant changes to everyday life and the ways in which we practise medicine. It is important that the ease and practicality of accessing and disseminating information does not intrude on the high standards expected of doctors, and that the boundaries between professional and public life do not become blurred through the increasing adoption of social media. This said, as with any such profound disruption, the social media age could be responsible for driving a new understanding of what it means to be a medical professional.”

Click here to read the full article.

Continuing Care & Community Living Expo 2016

On Thursday, April 21st, the Continuing Care & Community Living – Expo 2016 was held in Calgary. This event, sponsored by Alberta Health Services and Covenant Heath, focused on introducing individuals and their families to new initiatives, opportunities and technologies relating to independence and aging.

Below are some tweets that @aircalgary sent while attending Expo 2016.

If you were unable to attend the Continuing Care & Community Living – Expo 2016 in Calgary, you have a chance to do so on Friday, May 6th in Edmonton, Alberta. As was the case in Calgary, admission and parking are FREE. To learn more about the event, including the topics that will be addressed, click on the image below.

Expo2016

Alberta – Getting Connected

An electronic health record system is being planned for Alberta. This will connect Alberta’s 97 hospitals, its primary care networks of family physicians, and the province’s Netcare system together. In addition to cost-saving benefits,  a single  health information system will  allow medical specialists and emergency rooms to determine important information, including what medications an individual is taking and what diagnostic tests have already been done.  Albertans themselves will also be able to log in and view their health information.  As one member of Pts4Chg wrote, “Linking Healthcare with Primary care with patient! Feeling in the loop.”

Although this initiative will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Carl Amrhein, deputy health minister, “I’d say it’s critical.”  Click here to read the full report.