You may soon spend less time waiting on paperwork and more time speaking with your doctor. The provincial government has officially launched a new strategy aimed at creating a modern, connected, and patient-centred digital health system.

Premier Susan Holt announced the initiative in Miramichi on Friday, emphasizing the need to reduce administrative burdens on health-care providers.

“Modernizing our digital health system will give doctors the tools they need to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork, and give patients a more seamless experience as they navigate the health-care system,” Holt stated. “This strategy lays out a vision to use digital innovation to improve care for patients and offer a more rewarding and attractive work experience for health-care providers.”

Investing in Electronic Medical Records

A central component of this strategy involves upgrading the tools your doctor uses daily. The province aims to implement modernized electronic medical records (EMR) that connect providers across different locations. This ensures that whether you visit a clinic in Saint John or a specialist elsewhere, your health information travels with you in real-time.

To support this transition, the government included enhancements to the EMR funding program in the new tentative physician services agreement. The budget for this program has increased to $1.75 million.

Dr. Lise Babin, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society, highlighted the significance of this funding.

“For the first time, every physician in our province can access funding to adopt and operate an electronic medical record of their choice in their clinic,” said Babin. “This approach has been shown across the country to increase electronic medical record adoption rates to the benefit of patients, physicians and the health system as a whole.”

Five Core Goals for Digital Health

Health Minister John Dornan noted that this shift goes beyond simply scanning paper files into a computer. The strategy focuses on five specific goals to transform the system:

• Empowering Patients: You will gain secure access to your own health information, allowing you to track progress and make informed decisions.
• Improving Provider Experience: Reducing manual paperwork simplifies daily tasks for doctors and nurses.
• Seamless Sharing: Creating an integrated ecosystem allows hospitals, clinics, and community care settings to share data securely.
• Data-Driven Decisions: The system will use advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to identify health patterns and reduce manual labor.
• Strengthening Foundations: The province will upgrade legacy systems and ensure digital tools remain inclusive and secure.

“An intentional focus on digital health enables a more connected, convenient and patient-centred experience, as well as improvements in patient safety and quality of care,” said Dornan.

For the full details on the announcement, you can view the official news release here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of the new digital health strategy?

The primary goal is to modernize the health system to reduce paperwork for doctors, allowing them more time with patients, while giving patients better access to their own health data.

How much funding is being allocated for Electronic Medical Records?

The budget for the electronic medical records funding program has been increased to $1.75 million under the new tentative physician services agreement.

Will this change how I access my health records?

Yes. One of the core goals is to empower people to manage their health by helping them securely access their own health information and connect with providers more easily.