Contacting Patients Via Email to Share Feedback - FAQs
Why am I being asked to provide my email address?
SHA Patient & Client Experience would like to communicate with you through email about opportunities to improve the health system. This could include responding to surveys, participating in focus groups, discussing your experiences in an interview. Your feedback will help us improve the experiences and quality of care of future patients.
What will be communicated through email?
SHA Patient & Client Experience will use your email to inform you about quality improvement opportunities. We may create opportunities to communicate about other things over email in the future. Before this happens, we will ask for your permission.
How will my privacy be protected?
The SHA adheres to Saskatchewan legislation, the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (LAFOIP) and the Health Information Protection Act (HIPA), for managing private information. Additional information about these acts is available through the Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner.
How will my email address be stored?
You email address will be stored and protected in the same way other personal information such as your name, birthdate and health card number are stored and protected. For additional information on the SHA's privacy guidelines and best practices visit SHA’s Privacy and Personal Health Information Page.
How will I be contacted?
If there is a feedback opportunity available to you, SHA Patient & Client Experience will send you an email. This email will not be encrypted. We will ensure these emails contain minimal personal information, however they may include your name and the fact that you visited an SHA facility. These types of emails are considered to have a low risk of harm.
If we are sending you a survey, the email will have a link to complete the survey online in a secure platform. The survey software we use is required to meet privacy and security standards. Information about how your responses will be stored will be included in each survey’s details.
How do I opt-out?
If you decide to opt-out of receiving future communications, you can reply to the email or follow the opt-out instructions provided in the communication. You can also email patientexperience@saskhealthauthority.ca and ask to have your email address removed. The SHA will delete the email address from your medical record.
How do I opt-in?
When registering at participating SHA facilities, you will be asked if you would like to provide your email address. If you did not provide your email address at this time, but would still like to hear about opportunities to provide feedback, you can email us at patientexperience@saskhealthauthority.ca to have your email address added to your medical record. Please also include your name, date of birth and health card number.
Will my email address be shared?
The SHA may share your email address with companies we contract to help support survey administration. We will never sell your data to a third party.
Can my partner, parent or family member provide their email address instead?
Yes. As long as the patient and person providing the email address agree and understand that SHA may use that email address to contact you, the email of a partner, parent, family member can be used. Please note that each opportunity may have different rules. For example, it may be required that a survey be completed by the patient rather than another person.
What if my email address changes?
Registration staff will verbally confirm your email address at each visit. Updates can be made at that time. You can also email patientexperience@saskhealthauthority.ca with your full name, date of birth, health card number and new email address and to request changes.
When can I use my own email address instead of my parent’s email address?
Youth over 14 years of age may request to use their own email address. See “What if my email address changes” for information about this process.
What if I still have questions?
If you still have questions about the collection, storage and use of your email address to contact you about your care, please contact patientexperience@saskhealthauthority.ca.