VANCOUVER – A new app from Telus Health and London-based digital health company Babylon is providing Canadians with a virtual healthcare solution that help them to take control of their own health from the convenience of a smartphone.
Babylon by Telus Health gives Canadians convenient access to doctors and healthcare information where and when they need it. At launch, British Columbians will be the first to have access to the app’s one-on-one video consultation feature, allowing them to speak directly and privately with a BC-licensed family doctor, all covered by their provincial health plan. Patients can also store their prescription records, test results and other medical files on the app.
Canadians across the country who download the free app on iTunes or Google Play can immediately use its Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot symptom checker, which draws on more than 500 million streams of medical knowledge when it asks patients questions about their symptoms, plus offers information on possible causes or courses of action. The app is available in English immediately, with a French version to follow later in the year.
“Telus Health is leveraging the power of technology to improve health outcomes for all Canadians because we believe that by giving people the right tools, information and support we can empower them to manage their own health leading to healthier, happier lives,” said Telus Health VP Juggy Sihota, in the news release. “Babylon by Telus Health revolutionizes how Canadians can access healthcare with a unique patient-centric approach that’s built upon Telus’ unparalleled Customers First strategy. Quality healthcare and support underscored by putting patients first.”
Plans are also underway to integrate Babylon’s virtual care platform into Telus Health electronic medical records systems (EMRs) to enable physicians across the country to also easily conduct virtual sessions with their own patients.
Telus Health announced last September that it was partnering with Babylon to provide virtual healthcare technology solutions and services to doctors and patients in Canada.
Babylon’s suite of digital solutions is currently being used by approximately three million registered members outside of Canada and is accessible to tens of millions more through the organization’s worldwide partnerships.
