We were in Ottawa this week advancing Manitoba physicians’ priorities for a better health care system, along with colleagues from all provincial medical associations and the CMA. 

Why it matters: This was the first time medical associations joined together for a ​“Hill Day,” meeting with dozens of MPs and senators about physicians’ concerns and ideas. 

• A primary focus was on health information – both how it flows between providers and how it gets to patients in a world increasingly reliant on AI. 
• Medical associations also held a conference to learn from each other’s successes in supporting physicians, as well as to identify common opportunities to advocate together on behalf of our members. 

Physicians’ concerns were captured in a new CMA Physician Pulse survey, and shared with federal politicians. Physicians are concerned that false health information and disconnected health systems are putting patient care at risk. 

• Disconnected digital systems were reported by 99% of physicians as a top issue, preventing them from easily sharing patient records, test results, or clinical notes. 
• Almost half of those doctors (48%) report having seen a patient experience serious adverse health consequences including disease progression or missed diagnoses because of disconnected systems. 
• 97% of doctors have had to intervene to prevent harm or address consequences after a patient followed false or misleading health information found online, including advice from artificial intelligence (AI)

These concerns match what we hear routinely from Manitoba’s physicians.

Dr. Erin Olivier, Dr. Nichelle Desilets, and Dr. Alon Altman on Parliament Hill.

What we’re doing: We are addressing these issues through a variety of pathways, shaped by the feedback we’ve heard from you! 

• Pushing for physician-friendly interoperable electronic records, allowing physicians to easily share patient information with each other. 
• Detailing a practical roadmap in our Axe the Fax report for health system leaders to modernize referrals and consultations, including recommendations for a provincial physician directory, interoperable eReferral tools and urgent fixes for diagnostic imaging backlogs. Read the report here.
• Developing tools, tips, and guidance to help physician practices adapt workflows to the new CPSM Collaborative Care Standards coming June 1. 
• Spreading the Word through our New Getting Healthy Outreach Team! We’re excited to announce our new Getting Healthy medical school ambassadors will be out at festivals, events and destinations promoting the Getting Healthy Guide and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, including how to think critically about AI health misinformation. Stay tuned to learn more! 

We want to hear from you! Write to us with your concerns, challenges, ideas, feedback and more, in confidence, by emailing practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.