The province is launching a new online tool that will allow Albertans to have access to health information and services, as well as home remedies and tools to help determine if medical care may be needed.
The site, MyHealthAlberta, covers nearly 9,000 health topics ranging from medical testing to allergies and includes an interactive tool that allows individuals to check their symptoms.
The province says the content of the site is being reviewed by a panel of local physicians and other health providers to ensure the information is accurate and relevant to Albertans.
The launch is the first phase of the government's $33-million personal health portal (PHP) initiative. The province reveals once complete, the portal will give Albertans secure access to their personal health information through the province's electronic health record system.
Eventually, the site will provide a secure log-in for individuals who want to track their own personal health data such as blood pressure readings, insulin levels, weight, and immunizations.The initiative is expected to be complete by 2015.
"Probably the most highly anticipated one because this is where through the portal you will be able to provide yourself with access to your own electronic health record.. an important and incredible first," said Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky.
The province will be working alongside the office of Privacy Commissioner Frank Work as the next phases come online to ensure personal information is protected.
"In terms of due diligence it's good but can anyone guarantee that all the due diligence in the world will make something bullet proof?" said Work.
Work says this type of online information is generally what hackers are looking to access. But, there have been a number of health privacy breaches. The most recent case occurred when a Covenant Health hard driver went missing.
"It raises a good point, I mean if there is going to be all this additional information on net care we have to sure that it's not possible to download large portions onto portables," said Work.
The province has also launched its Alberta Wait Times Reporting website, which shows wait time information on surgical procedures and diagnostic tests including MRI scans, cancer services and hip and knee replacement surgeries as reported by Alberta specialists and facilities.
Albertans can also search wait times by procedure, by specialist and by facility and will also show wait times trends over the most recent 13-month period.
With files from Kevin Armstrong
