Abstract

At the outset of its health reforms in 1992, Saskatchewan identified health information and technology as a key enabler for health-system change. Collaboration with the new health districts led to a provincial health IT architecture and development of an arms-length agency, the Saskatchewan Health Information Network (SHIN) to operationalize this vision. Drawing from experience in Saskatchewan, this article explores both the benefits and challenges of collaboration at a time when planning and investment through a new pan-Canadian approach to health infostructure holds out so much promise and opportunity for health informatics in our country.