Knowledge Mobilization: a rural Personal Health Record (rPHR)
Illustrating an integrated electronic health system, rurally
Communicating complex health system change is nuanced. The rural Personal Health Record (rPHR) project by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC engages with rural community members, including patients and their families, healthcare providers, and health system partners to advocate for an open, standards-based, community-driven rPHR.
Refining messaging and new visuals
Rural Personal Health Records improve communication – and increases collaboration. The rural Personal Health Record (rPHR) project with RCCbc is an innovative and inclusive initiative designed to empower people and rural communities in managing their healthcare. It brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including rural patients and their families, healthcare providers, and health system partners, to build a comprehensive, open, and standards-based Personal Health Record system.
Building on previous work with rPHRs and patient voices, Drawing Change helped refine new messaging for the rPHR project, and create visuals to bring each pillar to life. These Drawing Change illustrations were transformed by RCCbc into multiple multimedia products:
- An animated video
- Slides for presentations
- Illustrations for the RCCbc website
- An academic poster, presented at a 2024 global rural health conference in South Africa
- and other outreach.
This initiative aims to dismantle the barriers to quality healthcare in rural regions, such as geographic isolation and limited access to specialized services, by offering a more connected and personalized approach to health records. This collaborative effort is grounded in the belief that healthcare should be accessible, transparent, and tailored to the unique needs of rural populations.
Benefits of an rPHR for people can include:
- better manage health
- better positioned to access care, understand risks, interact with their health providers
- give access to their information to family members, caregivers and providers
- create a team-based care plan
- have information travel with them to prevent errors and gaps
To learn more about the rPHR project and how it’s transforming healthcare in rural communities, visit the rPHR website here.
“I’d encourage others to work with Sam because his work doesn’t just illustrate conversations; it builds understanding, connection, and real momentum for change. Working with Sam and Drawing Change was an extraordinary experience—his deep listening, keen insight, and ability to synthesize complex ideas helped bring the voices of patients, families, and providers to life in the RCCbc Personal Health Record (rPHR) project. I deeply appreciated how he captured not just the messages, but the emotions – fear, hope, hesitancy, and aspirations – ensuring they were reflected with authenticity and care.”
Dr. Anthon Meyer, Physician Sponsor, RCCbc PHR Project