Health Equity Data Collection at PRHC

To better understand the needs of our patients and improve the care we provide over time, we will be asking you some personal questions.

These questions will be asked when you register as a patient at PRHC. You will only be asked to answer these questions once every three years. You can ask a member of your healthcare team to update your information at any time.

The information you share may be used to inform decisions about your care and improve your experience with us. It will help us tailor your care to your personal beliefs, identity, and preferences.

You can choose “prefer not to answer” for any or all of these questions. Our goal is to provide you with the best level of care, whether you decide to answer these questions or not.

Why are you asking me these personal questions?

We are collecting demographic information from patients to find out more about who we serve and improve the care we provide.

“Demographic” means information collected about a group of people that helps to describe them. The demographic information we are collecting includes:

  • Language
  • Racial/ethnic group
  • Disability
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender
  • Income
  • Length of time in Canada

Sometimes people experience discrimination in healthcare settings, and we want to make sure that is not happening. If it is, we want to correct it.

You can answer “prefer not to answer” to any or all of these questions. This will not affect the care you receive at PRHC. If you are comfortable with answering these questions to help us improve the care we provide, we appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Yes. The Ontario Human Rights Commission strongly encourages organizations to collect and use demographic information to keep track of patient outcomes and promote fairness. Many hospitals across Ontario ask the same or similar questions.

Ontario’s Excellent Care for All Act, 2010 holds hospitals responsible for collecting information to help us deliver quality healthcare. 

We know that demographic information has an effect on individual experiences, and that we cannot fully understand your healthcare experience without knowing more about who you are.

We take your privacy very seriously. Your Personal Health Information (PHI) is protected under hospital policy and privacy law. This includes your answers to these questions.

Combined information from many patients may be used by researchers to help us provide better care and service. If your information is used for research, your name and any identifying details will be removed.

We are collecting demographic information from patients to find out more about who we serve and improve the care we provide.

The information you share may be used to inform decisions about your care and improve your experience with us. It will help us tailor your care to your personal beliefs, identity, and preferences.

We will study whether factors such as language, disability, gender, and others are linked to health outcomes. We will also review and use your information to develop programs and do service training.

Members of your healthcare team may refer you to services, provide information, or identify any specific needs you may have, such as:

  • Interpretation services
  • Health information
  • Treatment programs
  • Accommodation for disabilities

It is important for us to know the people we serve. Whether you are here for one hour or several days, this information will help us to understand and plan care not only for your own future visits, but for other patients and clients who may have needs similar to yours.

No, we will only ask you these questions every three years, to ensure that we are regularly updating your information. If you would like to update your information before three years have passed, please speak with a member of your healthcare team.