Coming Tuesday in Quebec: Your digital health file at your fingertips

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(Charlie Fidelman/ Montreal Gazette) — The provincial digital health portal giving Quebec patients access to their own data is set to launch Tuesday.

Carnet santé Québec will be available on computers, tablets and smartphones, Health Minister Gaétan Barrette announced Friday.

“The online service is a tool for the patient that will be simple, safe, secure — and free,” Barrette said.

Much like an online bank account, only the client will be able to access his or her health data, he added.

Announced in December, the government is to roll out the program during the next two years, starting with an online registration process that goes live Tuesday.

Initially, patients will be able to consult their “carnet” or health booklet for a list of medications received from the pharmacy going back five years, laboratory results for urine and blood tests, and medical imaging tests such as X-rays.

As of September, patients will be able to see how much their doctor billed for each procedure and medical intervention. Eventually, the system is to include all medical interventions done in offices, clinics and hospitals — for example, an operation to remove an appendix will be broken down according to fees for surgery, hospitalization, medication and staff. (…)

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