Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government, dedicated to advancing digital health across Canada. Through the Shared Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap (“Roadmap”), Infoway is leading efforts to achieve seamless and secure data exchange within the healthcare system. Recognizing the critical role of clinical leaders in this transformation, Infoway has launched the Infoway Centre for Clinical Innovation in Digital Health (CIDH). The CIDH aims to foster innovation and collaboration among healthcare professionals to accelerate the adoption of interoperable digital health solutions, ultimately improving patient outcomes and modernizing healthcare delivery in Canada.
As its first major initiative, the CIDH introduced the Connected Care Innovation Grant, which aims to empower clinical leaders by providing project funding to advance grassroots initiatives focused on digital health interoperability. This year, ten recipients from across the country, including organizations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Ontario, were awarded grants. Notably, three of these organizations serve Indigenous communities, emphasizing the need for and importance of improving healthcare delivery and access for diverse and underserved populations.
The awarded projects span a variety of healthcare settings, from community clinics, hospitals and provincial agencies to universities and non-profit organizations. These initiatives are designed to enhance the delivery of care through the integration of advanced digital health technologies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and supporting healthcare providers in their daily practice.
Looking ahead, the CIDH will continue to support the advancement of digital health through the upcoming Connected Care Innovation Scholarship program, aimed at clinical learners who are pursuing further education in digital health interoperability.
By investing in our clinical leaders and students, we strengthen the backbone of our healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that it can effectively adapt to evolving healthcare needs. The CIDH and its initiatives not only align with the strategic goals and priority initiatives of the Roadmap, but also aims to support clinicians at every stage of their career, empowering them to better care for patients and drive the modernization of Canada’s healthcare system in a way that meets their needs.
Through these initiatives, Infoway is committed to ensuring that healthcare providers have the tools they need to deliver connected, efficient, and patient-centered care across Canada. To learn more, please visit us at https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca or contact us at interoperabilty@infoway-inforoute.ca
Written by Krista Balenko, Senior Director of CSRC, Business Operations & Clinical Innovation, Canada Health Infoway.