e-Health -- where is John Q. Public?

I normally look forward to attending the monthly Board of Directors' meeting for the Central East LHIN, but I always wonder why there's such a small (if any) representation from the rest of the community.
I've checked with friends from other LHINs and none of them has ever attended a meeting, so let's assume for the purpose of this discussion that my research is empirical.

There were only a couple occasions that I can recall where extra seating capacity (or a different venue) was necessary, and these were:

• the session discussing the realignment of COPD services in the Durham, Ontario region -- many of those living with the disease were out in full force to show their concern for aspects of the LHIN's plans
• the session regarding the reorganization of the PHRC

So, why the apparent disinterest?
As per the MOHLTC, "The legislation requires LHINs to engage their community, including physicians and other health care practitioners, on an ongoing basis..."
Now, I presume the mandate is being measured, so on this "engaged community" metric alone, the LHINs must be hurting real bad!

What could they do to counter this apparent indifference? I have a couple of ideas.

Firstly, why not market the LHINs to the point of ad nauseam?
Many Ontario residents I interact with have a fundamental lack of knowledge of what LHINs are all about -- I find this unfortunate since the latter funds their healthcare.
It's said that even tourists to Canada know the Pizza Pizza phone number, so why are we so conservative when preaching the LHIN gospel?

Secondly, I feel the level of interest would be raised considerably if someone from the front-line of our healthcare system would be asked to present at every board meeting.
For example, I may be interested in attending if it became common knowledge that the manager of the Emergency Department (ED) of my local hospital would be discussing:

• the serious effects on "wait times" of me showing up just because I have a cold 
• other options available to me, such as Telehealth Ontario

 My doctor would definitely have my attention if she informed me that she'll be presenting as to:

• why she and her peers are still not accepting new patients
• why she's recommending to all her patients that they assume a greater responsibility for their health
• how tools such as EMRs, EHRs and PHRs would help with the above

I think the optics for the LHINs would be greatly improved if they tried to connect with their communities more often at the grassroots level -- I've attended too many meetings where I've had to turn and ask the meaning of acronyms being thrown around by presenters.

Let's turn these board meetings into true "town hall" meetings -- that way there'd be no need to question the value of our LHINs.


Ernest A. James

President & CEO
Regal Informatics Inc.