In 1966, Canadian Medicare was born, aiming to provide universal healthcare coverage to all Canadians. Led by Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas, the program promised access to essential medical services, regardless of income or social status. Medicare was a game-changer, fostering a healthcare system built on equity and accessibility.
However, over the years, Canada’s healthcare system has faced increasing challenges that have strained its ability to deliver efficient and timely care. Rising healthcare costs, long wait times, and an aging population have created significant pressure on the system. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in the system, particularly the heavy reliance on sharing health information through paper records and traditional means of communication like fax machines, telephones, and in-person visits. As demand for care continues to increase, these outdated methods are slow, error-prone, and hard to scale. In a rapidly changing world, the need for faster, more accessible healthcare has become more urgent than ever, making digital health transformation essential.
What Is Digital Health Transformation?
Digital health transformation supports a more connected and collaborative health system. It refers to the integration of technology into healthcare practices to improve care delivery, increase efficiencies, and enhance patient outcomes. This can include the use of electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, mobile health apps, artificial intelligence (AI), wearable devices, and data analytics tools. Essentially, it’s the convergence of healthcare and technology to better serve patients, healthcare providers, and the system as a whole.
Where do we start?
The Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments, along with, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and Canada Health Infoway, are partners in this critical transformation. Canada Health Infoway, a non-profit organization funded by the federal government, plays a central role by driving the adoption of interoperable health technologies, enabling secure data sharing across the country. CIHI supports this shift by providing key data and insights to guide policy decisions. Together with government investments, these organizations are laying the groundwork for a more connected, efficient healthcare system that can evolve with future needs.
Key Areas of Digital Health Transformation in Canada
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
The shift from paper-based records to electronic records is one of the most impactful digital health initiatives in Canada. EHRs enable healthcare providers and patients to view aspects of their medical history with the click of a button, resulting in more informed decision-making, fewer errors, and improved patient care. Most provinces have rolled out EHR solutions, though their adoption and integration remain ongoing. - Virtual Care
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the widespread use of virtual healthcare. Telemedicine (a form of virtual care) allows patients to consult with healthcare professionals remotely, either through video calls or phone consultations. This is particularly beneficial for rural and remote communities as well as those with mobility concerns, where accessing in-person care can be difficult. - Mobile Health and Wearable Devices
With the proliferation of smartphones and wearable technology, patients are now able to take charge of their health in unprecedented ways. Fitness trackers, continuous blood glucose monitors (CGM), smartwatches, and health apps are just a few examples of tools that allow people to monitor their physical activity, blood sugars, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. These devices are providing valuable data that can help healthcare providers offer more personalized care. - Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI and machine learning are becoming critical tools in the fight against chronic diseases, diagnostics, and drug development. Healthcare institutions across the world are exploring AI’s potential for improving diagnostic accuracy, predicting disease outbreaks, and even detecting patterns that could improve patient outcomes. Additionally, data analytics helps policymakers make better decisions about resource allocation and healthcare delivery. - Interoperability and Data Sharing
For digital health transformation to succeed, seamless communication between systems is essential. While progress is being made toward creating interoperable systems that let healthcare providers share information securely and efficiently across regions, there’s still a great deal of work to be done. This is crucial for timely patient care, ensuring medical history is accessible when needed, while maintaining security and appropriate access.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite its many benefits, digital health transformation also faces numerous challenges.
- Security and privacy of personal health data are top concerns. As more sensitive information is stored online, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is crucial to protect Canadians’ privacy.
- Ensuring that digital tools are equally accessible to all Canadians, including those with limited digital literacy or resources.
- Interoperability -the ability for different healthcare systems to exchange data smoothly- is still a work in progress. For digital health to reach its full potential, healthcare systems must be able to connect providers and patients and communicate effortlessly, regardless of where patients are or which provider they visit.
- The adoption of new digital health tools can support new shared and collaborative models of care, however the need to redesign current practices presents challenges for busy healthcare professionals. A structured change approach is vital to support providers and teams through the transition, while minimizing disruptions to care delivery.
The Future of Digital Health in Canada
Digital health transformation is not just a buzzword -it’s the future of healthcare. As this transformation continues, it promises to change not only how healthcare is delivered but how Canadians experience and engage with their health. However, realizing the full potential of digital health will require ongoing investment in technology, infrastructure, and clinical practice support for healthcare professionals. Collaboration between the federal government, provincial and territorial governments, private industry, and healthcare providers will be key to creating an integrated, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system.
Mariner is dedicated to supporting the transformation of the healthcare system.
We combine our expertise in consulting, data and insights, technology, change management, cybersecurity, and clinical practice to drive impactful outcomes. With consultants who have direct clinical and healthcare consulting experience, we’re uniquely positioned to navigate healthcare’s complexities effectively and support digital health transformation. Let’s connect
