Digital Support Structure achievements in 2023

The Digital Support Structure is a group working to increase the use of digital tools in the Frontenac, Lennox and Addington region’s health-care sector, with a goal to simplify systems and processes for both providers and people, and to improve quality of care.

 "The FLA OHT recognizes the vital role of thoughtful advancements in digital health when it comes to overall improvements of the health-care system and the wellbeing of our population. Digital health at its core is meant to simplify the care journey for people and providers which has become the foundation for how our team approaches its work." Both Dr. David Barber, FLA OHT Digital Support Structure co-chair and assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Dr. Daniel Glatt, Digital Support Structure Co-Chair and family physician, hospitalist for Lennox and Addington County General Hospital agree.

In 2023, the Digital Support Structure made progress within three key areas: 

• "Digital" as an enabler. This work strives to make digital resources accessible to all people by identifying barriers and committing to change that will support sustainable implementation. Working with partners and other Ontario Health Teams digital working groups, digital best practices and recommendations are being shared.
• A Privacy and Information Sharing Roadmap was developed to lay the foundation needed to support broader Ontario Health Team information sharing and cybersecurity. The overarching goal is to establish a "One Patient, One Record" system for safe and efficient access to information across health-care sectors.
• Broad digital portfolio. This work ensures that digital work is aligned with the broader future state of the province and advises where investments in digital health tools are needed. Collaborations with our local and regional partners have helped advance digital interoperability, identify gaps in the system, and implement technologies intended to support our health system partners to expand capacity by decreasing administrative burdens.