How Alethea is Transforming Specialist Access in Alberta: An ICTC Case Study

The healthcare landscape in Alberta has faced mounting challenges, including long wait times for specialist consultations, uneven access to care, and growing demands on healthcare providers. Digital health solutions, particularly eConsult platforms, offer a promising avenue for addressing these gaps. Alethea Medical’s platform, recently highlighted in The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) report "From Concept to Care: Health Technology Talent in Alberta" is playing a key role in revolutionizing how primary care providers (PCPs) connect with specialists and streamline patient care.

In this post, we will explore the key findings of the ICTC case study on Alethea, showcasing how our eConsult solution is driving meaningful change in Alberta’s healthcare system.

The Current Problem: Long Wait Times and System Bottlenecks

Canada’s healthcare system, including Alberta’s, continues to face significant challenges, particularly concerning long wait times for specialist care. A comparative analysis of specialist wait times across peer countries highlights how Canada lags behind. The Commonwealth Fund Survey and CIHI report that Canada has one of the highest rates of patients waiting more than a year for specialist care in addition to the fewest number of patients waiting less than 2 months to see a specialist, significantly lower than countries like the U.S., U.K., and Switzerland. The data also shows that Alberta’s performance aligns with other large provinces, such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, where patients typically wait between two months and a year to see a specialist. This delay in access to specialist care not only compromises patient outcomes but also creates stress for primary care providers (PCPs), who are often left managing complex cases without timely specialist input. Fragmentation of the referral process exacerbates these issues, as many referrals are still managed through outdated methods such as fax machines. This approach makes it difficult to track patients’ progress, resulting in delays, lost referrals, and inconsistent communication between primary care providers and specialists.

Long wait times have a twofold impact. First, there are delays from the initial referral by a primary care provider to the specialist consultation. Second, after being seen by a specialist, patients often face additional delays before receiving follow-up care or treatment. These bottlenecks add to the already high burden on the healthcare system, leading many patients to seek emergency care as a last resort. Given these challenges, it is evident that Alberta’s healthcare system needs more efficient solutions to triage patients and prevent unnecessary referrals.

A Proven Solution: Addressing Systemic Challenges in Alberta’s Healthcare

Addressing the systemic challenges in Alberta’s healthcare system requires solutions that not only improve access to specialists but also optimize the referral process and foster better collaboration between healthcare providers. Digital health platforms, particularly eConsult systems, have proven effective in streamlining communication between primary care providers and specialists, helping to alleviate bottlenecks. These platforms allow PCPs to obtain expert guidance without requiring a formal referral or in-person consultation, enabling them to manage patients more efficiently within primary care settings. As the ICTC report notes, this approach significantly reduces the volume of unnecessary specialist referrals, shortens wait times, and improves overall patient outcomes by ensuring timely access to expert advice.

Alethea’s eConsult platform is designed to address these issues by offering PCPs a secure and efficient way to consult with a diverse network of specialists. By improving the speed and quality of provider-to-provider communication, Alethea helps PCPs manage patients more effectively, reducing the need for formal referrals and minimizing delays in care. This solution aligns with Alberta’s healthcare priorities, as it not only alleviates pressure on specialists but also improves access for underserved populations, including those in rural communities. Furthermore, the platform supports healthcare providers by optimizing workflows, enhancing coordination, and promoting more equitable access to care. With Alberta’s healthcare system under increasing strain, the adoption of eConsult solutions like Alethea’s offers a sustainable pathway to addressing wait times, reducing system bottlenecks, and improving patient outcomes across the province.

‍Alethea's eConsult Solution: Key Highlights from the ICTC Case Study

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Looking Ahead: Scaling Solutions Across Alberta and Beyond

To build a more resilient healthcare system, scaling eConsult solutions like Alethea’s across Alberta—and eventually beyond—will be essential. Expanding the platform’s reach to more family practitioners and specialists can alleviate pressure on hospitals and reduce referral bottlenecks. Targeting underserved communities, particularly rural areas, ensures equitable access to care and better health outcomes province-wide.

Moreover, this scalable model has the potential to extend beyond Alberta, aligning with healthcare priorities across other provinces and regions in Canada and the U.S. By fostering collaboration between providers, streamlining workflows, and offering timely specialist insights, Alethea’s platform can become a cornerstone of digital health transformation at a national level, driving improved access, efficiency, and patient outcomes across healthcare systems.

Driving Change Through Innovation

Alethea’s eConsult platform exemplifies how innovative digital health solutions can address systemic challenges within Alberta’s healthcare system. By seamlessly connecting family physicians and primary care providers with specialists, the platform accelerates access to critical medical advice, reducing the delays inherent in traditional referral processes. This approach minimizes unnecessary specialist appointments and allows primary care providers to manage more cases independently, optimizing the use of healthcare resources.

Alethea’s success lies in its ability to harness technology to improve communication and coordination between providers. Tools like integrated digital imaging and structured eConsults ensure specialists receive relevant patient information upfront, enabling faster and more informed decisions. Additionally, the platform’s ability to divert non-essential cases away from specialists—paired with its average 17-hour response time—demonstrates how innovative solutions can relieve pressure on overburdened healthcare systems.

By prioritizing ease of use and accessibility, Alethea fosters adoption among healthcare professionals, promoting a shift toward a more efficient, technology-enabled care model. As the platform continues to evolve, Alethea remains committed to driving innovation that reshapes healthcare delivery—paving the way for smarter, more sustainable patient care across Alberta and beyond.

Read the full ICTC report here to learn more about Alethea and how our platform is redefining access to specialist care.