Project: Healthlink

Canada Health Infostructure Partnerships Program

Synopsis

The HealthLink project involved assisting with the development of web-based directories to consolidate health resources, program, and service information pertaining to seniors from a number of sources at 45 Community Health Centres through the Interior Health Authority (IHA) in BC. Project coverage area included 52 communities spread over the lower third of the province. In addition, The HealthLink site continues as a referral source for phone-in and walk-in clients, and for community health staff on client visits.

Outsomes

The HealthLink project has already had a positive effect on staff in the IHA. Recent staff surveys indicate that while many of the 18, 000 employees may not have seen or accessed HealthLink to date - many of those who are in direct service to the public have and are using the directory on an ongoing basis.

The HealthLink project is providing a vital link to health care information throughout the region. A number of health councils and regions in the province of BC have recently been amalgamated into one large area, and the directory is providing staff easy access to what is available within the new Health Authority area.

The impact of the website has been significant in its ability to inform staff, physicians and communities of changes as they happen.

Research Implications

The HealthLink directory for Interior Health could be used as a "shell" to create a provincial directory of services. The availability of a "referral" type directory such as HealthLink could enhance existing services such as BC Nurse Line. Currently, the BC Nurse Line is limited to giving diagnostic, medical type advice and cannot provide community contact information to clients who call in.

Lessons Learned

• There was a need for a comprehensive risk identification process early in the project start up. The process of identifying risks and creating a planned mitigating strategy allowed for easier identification and resolution of risks and issues as they arose.
• A focused, well articulated project plan along with routine meetings of project team allowed the sharing of a vision and the development, support and innovation of work around that vision; and
• Fostering creativity by allowing the team to work independently (while remaining connected via team meetings) established a working environment where all team members felt valued and where all felt they had equal input in the project.

The Future

The project exceeded the original expectations of the HealthLink team. The directory currently lists some 4200 services, 1500 physicians and specialists and serves a population of 720,000 spread over 52 communities and the lower one-third of the province.

The province of BC and the Ministry of Health are exploring the option of building a provincial directory. Based on HealthLink this would provide a powerful, all -inclusive tool for nurses by supporting information and service referral requests.

Planning for sustainability of the project is currently occuring. An eCommerce site attached to the web directory is being planned and would allow "for-profit" entities (such as pharmacies, medical suppliers, etc.) to list on the HealthLink directory for a nominal annual fee.

Surveys, on-line forums, and moderated "chat" forums are future possibilities and would allow the website to becoming a more interactive forum for the general population.

Appendix A: Documents or Products Generated

Document /Product Name

HealthLink Directory

Evaluation Surveys

For more information please contact:

Peggy Scott at peggy.scott@interiorhealth.ca or at (250) 870-4664