- Be Aware Health Care
- Posts
- Be Aware Health Care | February 13th, 2024
Be Aware Health Care | February 13th, 2024
Can A.I. Help Healthcare?🤖 | $3.1 Billion For Healthcare 💸
Marc
February 13, 2024
How A.I. Helps Healthcare
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, with the market expected to reach $187 billion by 2030. AI's increasing application is driven by improved machine learning algorithms, expanded data access, cheaper hardware, and 5G availability, accelerating industry changes. Here's how AI benefits healthcare:
Enhanced Efficiency:
Administrative Workflow: AI automates mundane tasks like note-taking, coding, and data sharing, freeing up staff time.
Dosage Error Reduction: AI identifies medication self-administration errors, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Improved User Experience:
Effective Communication: AI technologies like natural language processing (NLP) improve patient-provider interaction, fostering shared decision-making.
Enhanced Diagnoses:
Cost Reduction: AI-driven diagnoses may reduce treatment costs by 50% and improve health outcomes by 40%.
Cancer Risk Prediction: Deep learning AI improves cancer risk prediction (such as breast cancer), leveraging vast image datasets.
Better Health Monitoring:
Infectious Disease Detection: AI tracks infectious diseases like COVID-19, aiding in early detection and prevention efforts.
Continuous Monitoring: Wearable devices provide real-time health data, enabling proactive interventions and alerts.
However, AI implementation requires robust governance to address ethical, regulatory, and privacy concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for AI governance principles to ensure transparency, accountability, and equity in healthcare. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to automate tasks, improve diagnoses, and enhance patient care remains promising.
In this week’s email:
Ontario
$3.1 Billion For Ontario Health Care
Could I Lose My Family Doctor For Seeking Care Elsewhere?
Health Care Workers Hold Demonstration To Express Staffing Crisis
Ontario Physicians Meet to Discuss Future of Career
Canada’s Largest Hospital Gets Larger
Canada 🇨🇦
Nation’s Leaders Meet to Discuss Alarming State of Health Care
Backlash Sparks Reversal From Insurance Company
Ontario News
$3.1 Billion For Ontario Health Care
Prime Minister Trudeau and Premier Ford sealed a $3.1 billion deal earmarked for Ontario's healthcare, aiming to revitalize the province's struggling system. The agreement demands the creation of new primary health care teams and the expansion of medical education programs, with an emphasis on upgrading digital infrastructure. Originating from a national health funding summit in February 2023, this pact addresses long-standing issues within Ontario's health system, including lengthy wait times and a shortage of family doctors. Despite welcome by medical associations, concerns linger over the efficacy of the allocated funds and the need for transparent spending. Additionally, the Ontario Nurses' Association questions the disparity between the reported influx of new nurses and the persistent staffing shortages in emergency departments, as highlighted by the auditor general's recent findings.
Could I Lose My Family Doctor For Seeking Care Elsewhere?
Amid Ontario's health care challenges, patients express concern that seeking care outside their family doctor could affect their rostered status. A Reddit post highlighted worries about being de-rostered after using Maple for medical needs while their primary physician was unavailable. Rostering in family medicine entails patients registering with a primary care provider, who is paid a yearly rate by the government. Seeking treatment elsewhere, like at walk-in clinics, can incur charges for the main doctor. While some express outrage over potential de-rostering, experts suggest it's unlikely after a single visit, emphasizing that OHIP may deduct costs instead. In the backdrop of Ontario's overwhelmed health care system, patients are turning to private services like Maple for immediate care, highlighting the growing strain on primary care access. With millions lacking family doctors and long wait times, the reliance on alternative care methods is expected to rise, prompting reassurance on forums like Reddit about the repercussions of seeking outside care.
Health Care Workers Hold Demonstration To Express Staffing Crisis
Health care workers in Ontario are grappling with a staffing "crisis" that's straining emergency rooms and impacting patient care, says Michael Hurley, president of Ontario Council of Hospital Unions of CUPE. With thousands on stretchers in hospital hallways and long waitlists for surgeries and diagnostic procedures, Hurley emphasizes the urgent need for higher wages, better working conditions, and improved workload management. The demonstration outside the Sheraton Centre aimed to draw attention to these pressing issues as unions negotiate with the province. Hurley highlights the strain on staff retention and workload, calling for immediate government action. Premier Doug Ford, however, points to record investments in hospital infrastructure and staffing, citing significant additions to the health care workforce since 2018 and improved surgical wait times. Despite these investments, frontline workers express ongoing challenges, including inadequate staffing leading to compromised patient care. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles echoes these concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to address the underfunding and cuts in the province's healthcare system.
Ontario Family Physicians Meet to Discuss Future of Career
A group of family physicians in Ontario held a meeting to discuss the challenges facing their profession, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of family medicine due to inadequate funding and excessive administrative burdens. Dr. Ramsey Hijazi, founder of the Ontario Union of Family Physicians, emphasized the urgent need to address these issues, noting that family doctors are considering alternative career paths such as hospital or cosmetic medicine. The meeting also aimed to draw attention to ongoing negotiations between the Ontario Medical Association and the health ministry for the next physician services agreement, highlighting the financial challenges faced by family doctors and the importance of government support for primary care. While the Ontario government has emphasized its investments in expanding medical schools and primary care teams, physicians argue that more needs to be done to ensure the viability of family medicine and to address the growing healthcare needs of the population.
Canada’s Largest Hospital Gets Larger
Ontario announced a substantial investment of nearly $800 million towards the construction of a new 15-storey tower at University Health Network's Toronto Western Hospital. Set to be completed by 2028, this state-of-the-art facility will feature 82 patient beds and 20 operating rooms, significantly boosting surgical capacity by 20 percent. Premier Doug Ford highlighted the importance of this project in delivering modern and high-quality care to the hundreds of thousands of patients who rely on Toronto Western Hospital annually. UHN president Kevin Smith emphasized the significance of the investment in advancing the hospital's capabilities in treating complex neurological and orthopedic cases, underscoring its vital role in serving both Toronto and the broader province. This substantial funding reflects the government's commitment to strengthening Ontario's healthcare system, addressing growing patient needs, and improving access to essential services across the province.
Canada as a Whole 🇨🇦
Nation’s Leaders Meet to Discuss Alarming State of Healthcare
Provincial leaders received $46.2 billion from Prime Minister Trudeau last year to address healthcare challenges, though concerns remain. While provinces work on agreements behind the scenes, healthcare workers and patients demand faster action. The federal government has set a March deadline for finalizing deals, with Quebec potentially an exception. Agreements prioritize community care and data compatibility, but opinions on effectiveness vary. Medical associations worry about system sustainability and provider strain. While there's hope for relief once plans are in place, urgency mounts for quicker action, as delays exacerbate the crisis.
Backlash Sparks Reversal From Insurance Company
Manulife announced a reversal of its decision to exclusively cover specialty drugs filled at Loblaw-owned pharmacies, now allowing coverage at any pharmacy following backlash from customers, experts, and pharmacists. The change, prompted by public feedback, aims to uphold patient choice and access to care. While Manulife members can still use Bayshore and Loblaw pharmacies, home delivery remains an option. The initial deal, affecting around 260 medications, drew criticism for potentially compromising pharmaceutical care quality. The move away from preferred pharmacy networks, common in the U.S., reflects concerns over patient autonomy and healthcare trends.
Source Material:
How A.I. Helps Healthcare
$3.1 Billion For Ontario Health Care https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-federal-government-signs-31-billion-health-accord-deal-with-ontario/
Could I Lose My Family Doctor For Seeking Care Elsewhere?
Health Care Workers Hold Demonstration To Express Staffing Crisis
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-health-care-workers-staffing-shortage-1.7107013
Ontario Physician’s Meet to Discuss Future of Career
Canada’s Largest Hospital Gets Larger
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/university-health-network-new-tower-1.7107074
Nation’s Leader’s Meet to Discuss Alarming State of Healthcare
Backlash Sparks Reversal From Insurance Company
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/manulife-loblaw-deal-reversal-1.7105150