AccessMyHealth: How to Safely View Your Medical Records Online in BC
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An informed patient is a safer patient. In today’s complex healthcare environment, our patient information can often get trapped in "silos" between hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers.
AccessMyHealth is a new, secure online tool that provides a bridge of information between care providers, and allows you to view and manage your own health information all in one place.
Read on to learn more!
Feeling nervous about online health information?
For many people, especially seniors and caregivers, the idea of using the internet to view and manage health information can feel overwhelming. You might be thinking:
“I’m not good with technology.”
“What if I click the wrong thing or make a mistake?”
“Is my personal health information even safe online?”
These are all very real and reasonable concerns.
Why online access to health records is essential in BC
In British Columbia, more and more of our healthcare is moving online. In today’s complex healthcare environment, your information is often spread across different hospitals, clinics and specialists, and important details can be missed.
While no online system is completely risk‑free, there are two key points to remember:
Your data is already online
In British Columbia, your records are already stored securely on large provincial systems. Choosing not to look at them does not make them “less digital”—it only makes you less informed.Being uninformed is the bigger risk
One of the greatest dangers in modern healthcare is not having the right information at the right time. Having access to your records can help prevent errors, support safer care, and make conversations with your BC family doctor or specialist much more effective.
AccessMyHealth: your online information bridge between healthcare providers
What it offers patients in Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence and PHSA
AccessMyHealth is a secure online portal to your information, available to anyone receiving care within Vancouver Coastal Health, Providence Health, or PHSA (BC Cancer, BC Women’s, BC Children’s). This portal gives you online access to important parts of your medical record.
Through this portal, you can:
See test results quickly
View your blood work, X‑rays, and diagnostic reports online as soon as they are available, instead of waiting for a phone call or letter.Read your care notes
See what your doctors, nurses, and specialists have written about your visits. This can help you catch errors, clear up misunderstandings, and better understand the plan for your care.Stay on top of appointments
Check your upcoming appointments in one place. This helps prevent missed calls, lost letters, and confusion over times and dates.
This kind of access is especially helpful for seniors, family caregivers, and people who see multiple specialists across the Lower Mainland and other parts of BC.
Use the W5 Technique to review your notes
Here’s a practical tip from Patient Pathways that works well for patients in BC: when you read your care team’s notes in AccessMyHealth, use the “W5 Technique”:
Who
What
Where
When
Why
Ask yourself: Does each of these match your experience? If something doesn’t line up—such as who prescribed a medication, what was suggested, or when a follow‑up is due—you’ll be better prepared to ask questions or request corrections.
Getting started with AccessMyHealth in British Columbia
To sign up for AccessMyHealth, you’ll need:
The BC Services Card app
A smartphone for secure login
The setup can feel a bit challenging at first, especially if you’re not comfortable with technology. Think of it as a one‑time effort that gives you safer, easier access to your health information for years to come.
Remember, this isn’t about becoming “tech‑savvy.” It’s about:
Staying informed about your own health.
Being prepared when you talk to BC doctors and specialists.
Staying safer in a fragmented healthcare system where not everything is in one place.
You don’t have to do this alone
If the technology side feels like too much, you can ask for help. Many people in BC get support from:
A family member or trusted friend.
A technology support person or local computer shop.
A seniors’ centre or community organization familiar with online health tools.
Setting this up before a health crisis is vital. It’s much easier to learn how AccessMyHealth works when you’re feeling relatively well, instead of trying to do it during an emergency.
NOTE: A calm approach to “abnormal” or “out of range” results
One important thing to know: when you view your lab or imaging results online with AccessMyHealth, you may see them before your doctor has had a chance to review them.
Here are two key points to keep in mind:
Don’t panic
An “out of range” result does not always mean something serious is wrong. Many results can be slightly outside the “normal” range and still be safe for you, depending on your age, medications, or medical history.Use the information to plan your next step
Instead of waiting for a call, you can use your results to prepare questions and book an appointment with your Primary Care Provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) in BC. Bring a printed copy or have the results open on your device so you can review them together.
Having this information early allows you to be proactive rather than waiting and worrying.
Why AccessMyHealth matters for seniors and caregivers in BC
For older adults and family caregivers in British Columbia, AccessMyHealth can:
Reduce stress by putting information in your hands.
Help you track tests and follow‑up appointments across different hospitals and clinics.
Support you in advocating for yourself or your loved one during medical visits.
Make it easier to share information with family members who help with your care.
