A Dr. Hui Lee idea becomes reality

NEWS RELEASE

GROUP HEALTH CENTRE

*********************** GHC launches interactive portal for vascular patients

Monday, May 8th, 2006 - What has been described as the first step in developing a patient portal for Group Health Centre (GHC) patients has officially been launched!

VIPNet has been introduced to GHC's Vascular Intervention Project (VIP) patients, to promote self-education and preventative strategies for healthier lifestyles.

Dr. David Crookston, family practitioner with the Algoma District Medical Group, is VIP's principal investigator and says: "VIPNet is a pilot project to allow interested patients in our VIP study to access selected information about their health and to allow them to share this information with other members of their health care team, especially their pharmacist. The access is via computer over the Internet. Great care has been taken to ensure confidentiality of the information, which is protected by a user name and password, similar to banking information.

"Although now at a very early stage, the project will be developed further over the next year as the VIP study becomes a program.

"We plan to extend Internet access to patients in our Heart Failure Program, and eventually to make this access a component of all of our chronic disease management programs."

To utilize VIPNet, patients require access to the internet and are assigned their own password.

A portal (or 'gateway') to VIPNet is provided on GHC's web site: www.ghc.on.ca

Patients have the option to share their password with their primary health care provider, pharmacist or anyone they want to have access to their health information.

VIPNet provides patients with up-to-date medical and medication history and progress including past history of vascular problems, allergies, side-effects, and access to their personal treatment plan.

Patients can view their 'action score,' that is based on their family history, age, questionnaires and lab test results.

Sharon Cuddy, research department manager, explains: "The interactive function of the 'Action Score' enables the patient to forecast the outcomes of personal goals (such as girth, blood pressure and other variables that are in realm of their lifestyle changes). This feature provides the patient with the ability to project potential outcomes by making certain changes."

Future plans include providing VIP patients with their test results such as ECG, and blood work.

In February 2005, GHC's new web site was introduced and redesigned to incorporate newer technological advancements including interactivity with our patients.

VIPNet was an initiative of the late Dr. Hui Lee, internist with the Algoma District Medical Group.

The VIP Project and VIPNet was funded by Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Primary Health Care Transition Fund.

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