On May 1st Minster Thompson announced that the province will be providing free access to UpToDate for physicians in the province. Discussions with the vendor have reached the final stages, and we anticipate being able to announce the go-live date within the next month. This communication will address some frequently asked questions to help you understand the implementation process.
Q: What is UpToDate?
UpToDate is an online repository of evidenced based research used by medical practitioners for decision support. More information can be found here.
Q: When will the service be available for use?
We are in the final stages of negotiations with the vendor, and we expect to announce the go-live date within the next month. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we work towards making this service available to you.
Q: How will physicians get access to UptoDate?
Physicians with NSH facility access or existing IT credentials will be able to log on to the service through any network computer. Once the service is live, you can set up a free account to access the resources from your own devices, whether it be a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. You will be required to log back into the service through a NSH network device once every 90 days to continue your offsite access.
Q: What about physicians without facility access or existing IT Credentials?
Physicians without facility access will still be able to log on to the service. A password-protected on-line portal will be provided, and detailed instructions on how to obtain login credentials will be communicated to you leading up to the go-live date. Rest assured; we are committed to ensuring that all Nova Scotia physicians have equal access to this valuable resource.
Q: What will happen to physicians who have already an Up-to-Date Subscription?
We understand that some physicians may have signed up for subscriptions to UpToDate within the last three years. To ensure fairness, a process will be set up to reimburse physicians for any remaining months left on their subscription at the time of the go-live date. Further details regarding the reimbursement process will be communicated to you in the coming weeks.
Q: Should physicians renew their personal subscriptions before the go-live date?
If your personal subscription is due for renewal before the go-live date, we recommend renewing on a month-to-month basis. It is important to note that we may not be able to reimburse for long-term subscription costs that are incurred leading up to the go-live date.
We are excited about the progress made thus far and look forward to providing you with access to this valuable medical information subscription service. Please stay tuned for further updates, including the go-live date announcement, login instructions, and reimbursement details. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
