PMH Connectivity and Digitization Program

The consultant’s goal is to help you achieve a safe and secure computing environment for your work. To do so, they will need to ask you some questions and review items such as your internet provider, WiFi router, server/server area, modems, and anti-virus software.

It is important that your clinic representative participating in the assessment is positioned to direct the consultant to various technology components within the clinic such as the clinic WiFi router, modem, or server (if applicable), as well as be able to answer basic questions about which software the clinic is using, and who has access to all of the above.

Yes, your clinic is very welcome to participate in this offering again! You may find it helpful in tracking your progress since that time. Alternatively, you may choose to opt out of this offering and enroll in the Provincial System Connectivity and/or Technology Solution Navigation offerings.

The on-site consultant will collect information about your security and technology systems for the purpose of evaluation and providing recommendations.

The consultant conducting your assessment has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the Division so you can rest assured that any passwords, private documents and patient information that the consultant sees or gains access to during the course of the on site assessment will not be shared or stored. Further, all information regarding your clinic’s technology and cybersecurity profile will be collected and stored in accordance with the Vancouver Division’s privacy and data protection policy.We will not share this information with anyone without your informed consent, unless required by law.

To learn more about the Vancouver Division and use of personal information, please see our Privacy Notice

Additionally, the consultants have signed a Non-Solicitation Agreement to guarantee that they will not add you or your clinic to any marketing lists or contact databases; will recommend only necessary improvements (no upselling on hardware or software) and won’t contact you after the assessment unless you make specific arrangements with them to do so.  

The Connectivity & Digitization Program is provided on a per clinic basis, except for the Provincial Connectivity Assistance offering, which may be extended to multiple practitioners within the clinic, as needed. For efficiency and expediency, we suggest that you have one point of contact working with our Tech Concierge to help all practitioners within the clinic get connected.

We are currently gauging interest in extending the availability of on-site visits to outside of normal business hours. We will do our best to accommodate your requests, however we cannot guarantee cybersecurity consultant availability at your preferred time.

No. The application is for the entire clinic (or group of clinics).

Each clinic, or group of clinics may request one PMH Connectivity & Digitization program service. We encourage Clinic Owners and Clinic Managers representing an individual clinic (or representing a group of clinics) to apply on behalf of the entire clinic.

Please note: The 2024/25 PMH Connectivity and Digitization Program is no longer accepting new participants.

A reminder that all current program participants must submit their End of Project Report by March 15, 2025.

Each clinic has been sent a customized application form. 
If you would like us to resend your custom application form, please email concierge@vancouverdivision.com. 

While we will provide follow-up support, recommendations and helpful information, this program is not intended to replace existing IT support providers in your clinic or the services of a professional IT support provider. We are happy to provide a list of resources or make referrals to other clinic supports available to support your clinic on an ongoing basis.

The clinic representative participating in the Security & Technology Assessment will be paid for up to 2 hours of their time spent with the consultant and at the standard sessional rate for the clinic representative’s role (if applicable).

Participating clinics are eligible to receive financial support up to $2,500 to assist clinics with implementing some of the recommended technology and security improvements. Recommendations will be made across five focus areas: enhanced data protection approaches; security related capital improvements; security software & training related improvements; patient experience improvements; and staff training. The Division will determine the amount of each clinic’s financial support based on the security and technology needs assessed by the consultant. Financial support will be allocated at the sole discretion of the Vancouver Division of Family Practice .

Yes. The financial support cannot be used to purchase:

• Computer devices
• AI scribes
• Language translation software
• Billing support
• EMR training
• File digitization

Note: The Division’s Clinic Grants program accepts applications for projects related to file digitization. If your clinic needs assistance with billing or EMRs, the DTO’s Panel Support Program (PSP) is available and happy to help with these issues.

We will issue payment following the signing of our funding agreement and your completion of the post-participation survey.

We can work with you to achieve connectivity with CareConnect, PharmaNET, DRO’s OceanMD Digital Referral system, HDC, and Pathways.

During this one-on-one session we will discuss the pain points in your clinic’s IT-related workflows. With the goal of achieving Best Practices in your clinic, we will provide you with customized recommendations for specific tools and resources from our resource library such as physician communication tools, patient communication tools, legal templates, business guides and other workflow easement supports. We may also refer you to one of our partners regarding a specific issue (e.g. Doctors of BC’s Practice Support Program (PSP) for support with EMR selection and training).