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CVHL [Français]
The proposed Canadian Virtual Health Library is a national network of health libraries collaborating to deliver services to health professionals* and to realize efficiencies through resource sharing. The CVHL creates value and contributes to improved health care and health promotion by making readily accessible, high quality health information and evidence universally available to Canadian health care practitioners and health professionals for decision-making policy and program development, research, continuous learning and professional development. The CVHL contributes to the effective and efficient operation of Canada’s health care system by ensuring equitable access to health information and by optimizing the use of resources through coordination of existing services across the country.
[* The target client groups for CVHL services are physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and health administrators, program planners, public health researchers and community health workers.]
Foundation Principles
- Equitable access to quality-assured health information improves health care, increases patient safety and is essential public policy.
- Libraries and information services are essential components of the process that incorporates new knowledge into health promotion and health care practice.
- Local library services are the foundation for a pan-Canadian network of health library services.
Strategic Objectives
- Expand access for health professionals nation-wide to the best health information available to enable evidence-based practice.
- Accelerate the application of research results (knowledge translation) in the delivery of health care and health promotion.
- Leverage the buying power of publicly funded health information services to maximize the value of resources.(common procurement)
Strategic Outcomes
- Increased patient safety, as the provision of faster and better information will speed diagnosis and treatment and help prevent medical errors.
- Access to the best information for patient care by all health care professionals in Canada, regardless of their physical location, jurisdictional or institutional affiliation, skill level or area of practice and in the official language of their choice.
- Optimized health information services, resources and programs through coordination and collaboration.
[Extracted from the Canada Health Infoway Phase 0 Report: Feasibility Study and Readiness Assessment]
Canada Health Infoway for Creation of a Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL)
CVHL Value Propositions (April 2009): PowerPoint presentations to:
Comments / Discussion: NNLH discussion forum.