Public Voting Opens for Infoway's Patient Impact Challenge Entries

Two weeks to vote for your favourite digital health stories

TORONTO, Aug. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadians are now invited to vote for their favourite stories entered into the Patient Impact Challenge. The stories are the latest part of Canada Health Infoway's ImagineNation Challenges, launched to capture the impact of digital health on the lives of Canadians. The top three favourites will receive Canada's Choice Awards following the public vote that runs until August 29, 2013.

The Patient Impact Challenge asked participants to describe, in 250 words or fewer, the impact health IT has had on their experience as a patient or a caregiver. Canada's top three favourites by total votes will be given financial rewards with the most votes receiving $250, the second-most votes $150, and the third-most votes $100. Canadians can vote by going to the ImagineNation Challenge website.

"Whether booking appointments online, connecting various health care providers via an electronic health record or using telehealth services, patients and caregivers are experiencing the benefits of health IT," said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway. "Canadians sent us stories of how these solutions have saved them time, given them peace of mind, and improved the overall quality of care for them or their loved ones."

In addition to Canada's Choice, awards of $500 are available to the 10 patient stories deemed to be the most compelling by a panel of judges.

Judging will also take place for the Career Impact Challenge, which asked Canadians to describe the impact that public investments in digital health have had on their professional careers. Professional development awards of $1,250 will be given to the four submissions deemed to be the most compelling by a panel of judges and a further $500 for the most compelling submission by an emerging professional.

Award recipients will be announced in September, along with new Impact Challenges to further showcase the benefits of digital health.

About Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of information and communications technology projects in Canada. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these secure systems will provide clinicians and patients with the information they need to better support safe care decisions and manage their own health. Accessing this vital information quickly will help foster a more modern and sustainable health care system for all Canadians.

SOURCE: Canada Health Infoway