Digital Health in Canada

What does it take to protect a key strategic asset— our health data — in an era of accelerating AI? In this episode, we explore why data sovereignty is a strategic imperative for Canada, and the digital health future we stand to build — or lose.
Guests: 
Dr. Kumanan Wilson, Specialist in General Internal Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital; Chief Executive Officer/Chief Scientific Officer, Bruyère Health Research Institute; Vice President Research & Academic Affairs, Bruyère Health; and Chief Scientific Officer of CANImmunize Inc.
Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa.
Learn More:
Ensuring the sovereignty and security of Canadian health data
The catch-22 of Canadian digital sovereignty
e-Health Conference and Tradeshow
Summary:
00:00 Why Canada's health data matters in the age of AI
01:41 Kumanan's journey: from public health to building an immunization app
03:38 Michael Geist's path: law, tech policy, privacy & data
05:22 Defining data sovereignty
09:40 When laws collide
15:27 Health benefit vs economic benefit
20:43 Practical safeguards and strategies
26:23 Learning from global examples
30:15 Closing reflections
Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

AI scribes have been piloted in multiple provinces and territories – but what's the verdict so far? We explore the data, the potential impacts…and the balance between hype and hope. 
Guests: 
Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya, Frigon Blau Chair in Family Medicine Research and Director, Women's College Hospital Institute for Health Systems Solutions and Virtual Care
Simon Hagens, Consultant; Adjunct Professor, University of Ottawa
Learn More:
Clinical Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence and Automation Technology to Reduce Administrative Burden in Primary Care (WIHV)
Canada Health Infoway AI Scribe Program
Summary:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:16 Introduction to AI Scribes
00:28 Meet the Experts: Dr. Onil Bhattacharyya and Simon Hagens
04:08 AI Scribes: Initial Studies and Findings
06:23 Scaling AI Scribes: Challenges and Successes
14:03 Long-Term Evaluation and Data Quality
16:31 Patient Experience and AI Scribes
19:43 Future of AI in Healthcare
25:08 Patient-Driven AI
30:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.
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What is possible if we unlock the full potential of health data in Canada? Across the digital health sector, organizations are striving to move us from silos to seamless systems. In today's conversation, two leaders share what excites them about this transformation, what's at stake, and what it means for our health – and our health systems.
Guests: 
Dr. Anderson Chuck, President & CEO, Canadian Institute for Health Information
Dr. Fahad Razak, co-founder, GEMINI; Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics, University of Toronto 
Learn More:
Summary of CIHI's Transformation Plan
GEMINI
Artificial intelligence at Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Episode Summary:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:20 Dr. Anderson Chuck's Leadership Journey
03:23 Dr. Fahad Razak's Leadership Journey
07:26 The Culture Problem in Digital Health
10:28 CIHI's Transformation Agenda
15:19 Canada's Unique Strengths in Health Data
25:06 The Urgency of Innovation
27:35 Collaborations and Success Stories
37:22 Leadership and Vision for the Future
Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

What does it really take to build a digital health start-up—and not just survive, but truly thrive? Two leaders at the forefront of digital health innovation unpack the lessons behind the buzz, what it takes to grow a business with purpose—and evolve as a leader along the way.
Guests:
Mark McAllister, CEO and co-founder, VeroSource Solutions
John Sinclair, President & CEO, Novari Health
Learn More:
VeroSource Solutions
Novari Health
Episode Summary
00:52 Introducing the Guests: Mark McAllister and John Sinclair
01:29 John Sinclair's Career Journey
02:32 Mark McAllister's Career Journey
04:42 Challenges in the Early Days
07:46 Scaling and Building Trust
13:51 Key Milestones and Success Stories
17:15 Company Culture and Employee Retention
27:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
32:46 Closing Thoughts and Resources
Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.

Under the hype, what's really happening with AI adoption in Canadian health care? The AI in Action: Transforming Clinical Care Across Canada Working Group recently completed a first-of-its-kind environmental scan of AI-driven clinical initiatives in Canadian health care delivery. Two leaders share what they found, why it matters, and what it means for you – today and tomorrow. 
Guests:
Dr. Tania Tajirian, Chief Health Information Officer and Chief of Hospital Medicine, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Dr. Angel Arnaout, Chief Medical Informatics Officer, Provincial Health Services Authority
Learn More:
AI in Action: Transforming Clinical Care Across Canada Environmental Scan
Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-Powered Health Care Report
Digital Health in Canada Episode 15: Setting the Winning Conditions for AI-Powered Healthcare
Summary:
00:00 Introduction to Digital Health Canada Podcast
00:58 Introducing Dr. Tania Tajirian and Dr. Angel Arnaout
07:27 AI in Action Working Group
10:24 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Implementation
12:30 Insights from the AI Environmental Scan
18:40 Global Perspectives on AI in Healthcare
26:55 Advice for Emerging Professionals
31:24 Future Directions
Music: RetroFuture Clean and Breakdown, by Kevin MacLeod. Used under Creative Commons.