Future of Health Care
Opportunity Exists in Improving Access to Vaccines
With broad public support from across Canada, NACI-recommended vaccines should be publicly funded to help increase vaccine uptake.
Dr. Jia Hu & Dr. Gregory W. Taylor, Co-Chairs of the Adult Vaccine Alliance
Large-scale vaccination reduces the burden on an already strained health system
For some two hundred years, vaccines have protected people from a host of diseases and have saved more lives than any other intervention in modern medicine.1
Most recently, the importance of vaccines was demonstrated during the pandemic. Large-scale vaccination led to reduced illness and fewer deaths, while also reducing the burden on an already strained health system. Studies showed the vaccines were also highly cost-effective for countries around the world.2
Despite some challenges, Canada's COVID-19 vaccine rollout proceeded relatively smoothly. A key factor contributing to high initial vaccine uptake was the public funding of COVID-19 vaccines. It’s scary to think how low uptake would have been if people had to pay out-of-pocket for the vaccine.
Inequalities in funding create barriers to access Unfortunately, not all recommended vaccines are publicly funded in Canada. While the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) makes evidence-based recommendations on vaccinations, a recommendation doesn't mean funding. Instead, decisions are left up to the provinces and territories. For example, the vaccine for shingles, which has been available since 2017 and is strongly recommended by NACI, is publicly funded in fewer than half of the provinces and territories. Inequalities in funding creates barriers to access which reduce vaccine uptake, subsequently affecting the health of the most vulnerable. 3
Adult vaccination far below national targets
This problem tends to be the most serious for adults, where a combination of lower awareness, funding gaps, and access issues contribute to lower cover age rates than for pediatric vaccines. Adult vaccination is far below national targets — only approximately 55 per cent of adults 65 and older received a dose of pneumo coccal vaccine in 2020, despite a target uptake rate of 80 per cent. Similarly, despite the shingles vaccine being recommended for all adults over 50, uptake is only 27 per cent in this population. 5
It’s time to make funding of all NACI-recommended vaccines a reality
While not all the issues around uptake can be easily solved, one thing we can do as a country to improve vaccination rates is to ensure the public funding of NACI-recommended vaccines. There's broad public support — a 2023 survey conducted by 19 to Zero showed 73 per cent of adults across Canada feel that NACI-recommended vaccines should be publicly funded. It’s time to improve equality around one of the most important tools in our illness prevention toolbox. Let’s make the funding of all NACI-recommended vaccines a reality.
Dr. Jia Hu & Dr. Gregory W. Taylor, Co-Chairs, Adult Vaccine Alliance - an organization
Dr. Jia Hu Co-Chair, Adult Vaccine Alliance
THE POWER OF INSIGHTS:
How Manulife is Revolutionizing Canadians' Health and Well-being
With a benefits plan powered by Manulife, every action can help build towards a healthier future.
For decades, Manulife has been one of the most recognized and well-known Group Benefits providers in Canada, serving approximately five million members through its group benefits offerings. Today, Manulife is in the process of transforming its Group Benefits practice to be more than a claims provider, but a true health partner as Canadians navigate their ever-growing, complex and unique health needs.
"In the past, people just saw us as the company who pays their employee benefit claims," says Ashesh Desai, Head of Group Benefits at Manulife.
“Today, we're on a mission to become so much more than that; to partner with our members throughout their health journeys and provide the care and support they need, no matter what life throws at them.”
"By focusing on prevention, intervention, and recovery, we're finding innovative ways to improve Canadians' health, helping them live longer, healthier, and better lives," he says. "One part of this is the evolution of our digital technology. We’ve made a number of exciting investments to make it easier for our members to get more health out of their benefits.”
Unique health insights
Manulife is also increasing its value as a health partner through the unique health insights it’s bringing to the market. Using its access to vast amounts of aggregated and de-identified claims data, Manulife is able to detect emerging health trends in Canada.
“Outside of the Canadian government, Manulife has one of the largest sets of Canadian health data in the country,” says Desai. “We receive and process a lot of claims for Canadians — millions every year. In partnership with our medical director, Cleveland Clinic Canada, we’re able to analyze our data to better understand the state of Canadians' well-being, and better understand where we can help."
In recent months, the insurance company has been sharing health
insights publicly to help Canadians and employers make better decisions about workplace wellness. Manulife also aims to keep government and health agencies informed of current health trends.
The power of data
Earlier this year, Manulife released new data around the number of adults seeking treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The company’s claims data shows the number of unique claimants for ADHD medication, ages 18 and over, grew by 24.5 per cent from 2021 to 2022. This is compared to the average claimant growth of 15.3 per cent from 2017 to 2021. Working with Cleveland Clinic Canada to analyze the reason behind this increase in claims, Manulife was able to alert Canadians about this growing health trend and help employers understand what it could mean for their workplace.
More than just a traditional claims payer, we’re rapidly evolving to become a true health partner to the millions of Canadians we proudly serve.
Manulife has also released data that shows the number of Canadians who are getting treatment for mental illness and diabetes has been steadily increasing.
Overall, the number of individuals making claims for mental health treatment grew 8.6 per cent in 2021 and another 4 per cent in 2022. Manulife’s data also found that the number of people claiming diabetes treatment grew by 7.7 per cent in 2021 and increased another 8.2 per cent in 2022.
Manulife has released a Special Report on Mental Health as well as a Special Report on Diabetes for employers to help them better support their workers with these common health conditions.
Empowering Canadians
"Every claim we handle is an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our customers,” says Desai. "We're using our learnings to help us deliver an innovative and proactive care model spanning prevention, intervention, and recovery. This model integrates pharmacy and wellness programs to help ensure members have access to the right care, at the right time, in the right way."
By focusing on prevention and providing access to tailored programs, resources, and guidance, Manulife can help members be more resilient, which can potentially prevent disease, lower health care costs, and facilitate higher productivity.
“We’re focused on empowering Canadians to manage their personal health challenges and helping them navigate all stages of the health care journey,” says Desai. “We help Canadians manage physical, emotional, and mental health, and help employers support their people so they can achieve the goals they aspire to reach — personally and professionally.”
Next-generation health technology
In 2024, Manulife will launch new digital experiences that integrate health, wellness, and benefits. The goal is to make it even easier for their customers to get more health out of their benefits.
The digital enhancements are part of a partnership with Canadian tech start-up, League, and will help power a new personalized and digital health care experience that is fully integrated with Manulife’s group benefits ecosystem.
“The enhanced Manulife Mobile will leverage human-centered design, personalization, and incentives to help motivate and guide members to reach their wellness goals," says Desai. "It will help them improve their health, connect with care, and manage benefits with ease."
With this ongoing stream of innovation and exciting initiatives, Manulife is on a clear mission: to be a leading health partner to all Canadians.
“And we’re only just getting started,” says Desai.
Tania Amardeil
Ashesh Desai Head of Group Benefits, Manulife Canada
Fueling Health Care Innovation Through Partnerships and Collaboration
Innovation, collaboration, and partnerships go hand in hand. It’s a winning combination that informs everything Communitech does.
Kevin Crowley, Director, Editorial and Communications
For nearly three decades, the Waterloo Region tech hub has been fueling Canadian innovation through its “superpower” — the ability to bring diverse partners and stakeholders together to collaborate on solutions to tough challenges.
Take health care, for example
Through conversations with clinicians, administrators and tech founders, Communitech identified a gap between those who make leading-edge technology and those who could deploy it for the benefit of patients and the Canadian health-care system.
This insight prompted the creation of Fast Track Health, one of several Communitech-led sector-specific collaboratives that bring together stakeholders from industry, academia and government to identify pressing issues and encourage Canadian innovators to propose solutions.
The Fast Track process has surfaced numerous made-inCanada solutions to a wide range of challenges by building connections between Canada’s startup ecosystem and officials in industry, government and the broader public sector.
launched a Healthcare Hub earlier this year to encourage Canadian tech startups to scale health care solutions that enhance patient outcomes and experience.
To surface these innovations, Pfizer partnered with Communitech on a callfor-solutions in the areas of vaccination tracking, drug-short age planning, patient-drug coverage and access, women's health, and onc ology diagnostics.
Three Canadian companies were selected through an adjudication process. Pfizer is investing $1.4 million to support this first cohort, while Communitech is providing growth-related resources that help Canadian innovators succeed.
Communitech identified a gap between those who make leading-edge technology and those who could deploy it for the benefit of patients.
Partnerships remain critical to the process In one example, Pfizer Canada
ing of staff, integrated patient-record management, and equipment and inventory monitoring.
“These kinds of partnerships produce the connections that fuel innovation and generate prosperity for all of Canada,” says Chris Albinson, CEO and President of Communitech.
Communitech works with a range of other partners as well In its current Fast Track Health cycle, the Communitech-led collaborative worked with Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, and with Cambridge Memorial Hospital, to identify Canadian tech firms with innovative solutions to a range of challenges involving the recruiting and onboard-
These solutions will have pilot or procurement opportunities with healthcare organizations nationwide, including those connected to the Fast Track Health program through Communitech’s strategic partnerships with the CAN Health Network and Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO).
Five Canadian tech companies will soon be chosen to present their solutions to healthcare stakeholders at an upcoming showcase event.
“Collaborating with our partners to surface innovative Canadian solutions for healthcare challenges has been truly inspiring," says Joel Semeniuk, Chief Strategy Officer at Communitech.
"The potential impact of this collective effort reflects the outstanding quality of Canada's innovation community.”
Why LifeLabs Is on a Mission to Improve Health Care Access
LifeLabs, Canada's leading laboratory in diagnostic information, stands at the forefront of addressing accessibility barriers in our healthcare system.
Tania Amardeil
While Canada prides itself on a universal and publicly funded healthcare system, recent studies reveal significant challenges faced by millions of Canadians accessing primary physicians, which leads to delays in receiving essential health services. From emergency and non-emergency care to surgeries, specialist appointments, and diagnostic testing, barriers such as backlogs, and long travel times persist.
Redefining accessibility Reports indicate that up to 41 per cent of adults have experienced difficulty in accessing diagnostic tests, often due to accessibility challenges. LifeLabs is addressing these issues by prioritizing convenience and ease of services for Canadians. They're redefining accessibility and placing consumers in control of their health journey, bringing diagnostic testing directly to Canadians' doorsteps while ensuring reliable results and eliminating the wait times associated with traditional lab visits.
Don't have time to head to a lab? Or you may be caring for a loved one who requires additional support. LifeLabs will come to you. MyVisit, LifeLabs' service, offers unparalleled convenience by allowing medical samples to be collected or cardiac monitoring performed in the comfort of a customer's home or any preferred location at a time that suits their schedule.
LifeLabs is already Canada's highest volume provider of self-collection kit diagnostic services and is actively expanding its menu of offerings for at-home test kits for some of its diagnostic services to provide a tailored approach to individual needs and a personalized experience. At-home test kits provide a great option for those who are looking for convenient and timely access for their diagnostic needs, or for those who live in remote and rural communities or geographic boundaries. LifeLabs' state-of-the-art technologies and medical experts are in the background, meticulously analyzing your samples no matter how it's collected and delivered.
"Innovating health care means prioritizing accessibility through
cutting-edge solutions without compromising on quality and the expertise of medical professionals," says Charles Brown, President and CEO of LifeLabs. "We believe in personalized health care experiences that put the patient first, ensuring the highest standards while embracing the advancements that shape the future of medical care."
LifeLabs is dedicated to elevating the standards of medical diagnostics, evident in the remarkable $41 million investment recently in state-of-the-art equipment. Their investment ensures that patients receive top-quality health care services and creates the capacity to support the future needs of Canadians.
The philosophy at LifeLabs is clear: Empowering Canadians to own their health journey. They actively support Canadians with knowledge and guidance, offering personalized, convenient health care options.
LifeLabs strives to make health care simple and accessible, ensuring every Canadian can benefit from streamlined and tailored health services.
For information on how to partner with Communitech, visit communitech.ca
This article was sponsored by Communitech
Chris Albinson CEO & President, Communitech
Vic Fedeli Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade of Ontario
This article was sponsored by LifeLabs
The Future of Health Care Happens at George Brown College
With state-of-the-art technology and facilities, realworld experience, and faculty and clinical staff who work in the field, George Brown College's Centre for Health Sciences develops tomorrow's healthcare workforce. We train nurses, personal support workers, dental health, health care administration, hearing services, and behavioural science professionals who stand ready to work with people across the lifespan and tackle challenges facing the sector.
Practical Nursing student Susan Kihara came to George Brown College (GBC) to make an impact. After working in the retail industry, she decided to pursue a career in nursing after moving to Canada from Kenya in 2022.
As part of her program, she completed a clinical placement at a rehabilitation clinic at Toronto's University Health Network (UHN), where she works with stroke survivors. Kihara said this realworld experience helped her develop confidence and prepared her for challenges in the sector.
“The first few weeks of the placement, you're nervous. What if I make a mistake? But our clinical instructor is always there,” Kihara said. “The experience gives you more confidence to navigate the future of health care.”
Cutting-edge health-care training facilities and tech
GBC's Centre for Health Sciences comprises four specialized schools: the Sally Horsfall Eaton School of Nursing, the School of Dental Health, the School of Health Services Management, and the School of Health and Wellness. Programs run out of the Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences at Waterfront Campus, a stunning building equipped with the latest health care technologies and sophisticated lab and clinical spaces. These spaces include our accredited Simulation Centre, a high-tech facility that spans nearly 24,000 square feet, where students practise responding to real-world situations in a safe and controlled environment.
George Brown was Canada's first college, nursing program, and simulation centre to earn accreditation from the international Society for Simulation in Health Care in teach-
ing and learning.
“Working in the Simulation Centre helps you with critical thinking,” Kirhara said about interacting with responsive mannequins and live actors at the facility. "It opens your mind on what you will do in the field.”
Newly expanded and updated dental suites
The Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences also houses GBC's WAVE (Wellness, Applied Research and Visionary Education) Dental Clinic and hearing services, where students provide low-cost services to the public.
In 2022, the School of Dental Health completed a bold expansion project at the 40,000-square-foot WAVE Dental Clinic, constructing 24 stand-alone and fully enclosed dental suites equipped with increased air ventilation to reduce the risk of virus spread from aerosol-generating procedures. Prepared to navigate future public health challenges, the school now has one of the largest clinical dental spaces in the Ontario college system.
“We're investing in re-imagining our learning spaces as the digital nature of dental health professions becomes more prominent,” said Bethanie Huen, Associate Dean of the School of Dental Health. This includes increased adoption of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) processes for dental prostheses such as dentures, crowns, and bridges. The School of Dental Health has two high-precision 3D printing machines and a milling machine.
family's care of her father.
Calliste said she appreciates that the program focuses on helping people age well and age in place, and on developing programing based on older adults’ abilities and not their limitations.
“There’s this notion once we get older that we’re automatically going to face decline and ailments and illnesses, but this program has shown us that’s not necessarily the case,” Calliste said.
“It’s about being pro active as opposed to reactive and there are a lot of pieces in the program that speak to that.”
Students looking to improve the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum, including children and their families, can pursue training in the Autism and Behavioural Science, Behavioural Science Technician and Behavioural Analysis programs at the School of Health and Wellness.
We are investing in re-imagining our learning spaces as the digital nature of dental health professions becomes more prominent.
“As we educate future dental hygienists, dental assistants, restorative dental hygienists, denturists, and dental technologists, we must balance the prevalent and upcoming digital technology with their analog counterparts, positioning students to excel in the changing landscape of their chosen profession.”
Preparing professionals for care across the lifespan Centre for Health Sciences programs prepare graduates to work with diverse populations of all ages, from children to older adults. Beverly Calliste, a Recreation Management in Gerontology program student, came to GBC to impact seniors’ lives, inspired by her
Real-world experience and employerembedded programs
Nearly all Centre for Health Sciences programs provide at least one experiential learning opportunity thanks to more than 1,000 industry partnerships, with some programs embedded in industry settings. The Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician and Clinical Methods in Orthotics and Prosthetics programs are delivered at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and taught by professionals in the field.
“George Brown continues to adapt and invest in transformative education opportunities to prepare Canada's future healthcare workforce. The pandemic highlighted the many complex challenges facing the Canadian health-care system, and we are excited to see our graduates making change in their fields,” said Patricia Chorney Rubin, Dean, Community Services and Health Sciences. “If you want to pursue a career where you will make a difference, now is the time to start.”
Shawne McKeown
Working Towards a Better Future: A Voice for Black Health
The Black Physicians' Association of Ontario (BPAO) advocates for Black physicians by providing initiatives to support every stage of their career.
Despite being the third largest minority group in Canada1, Black communities are considerably underrepresented in the healthcare sector. They make up only 2.3 per cent of Ontario’s physicians2 despite being 4.7 per cent of the province’s population3
The reasons for this imbalance are incredibly complex, stemming from systemic anti-Black racism that has caused Black Canadians to have less access and poorer health.
Associations like the BPAO are working to correct this underrepresentation and eradicate existing barriers at every level of medicine – starting with medical schools. The Network For Advancing Black Medical Learners (N-ABL) ensures that Black medical students are supported throughout their health care education. The initiative sets students up for success and will increase the number of much-needed Black physicians working within communities.
Available advancement opportunities
Created in 2020 in association with Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) leaders from seven Ontario medical schools, the network is a knowledge exchange hub that is establishing best practices to support black medical learners (which includes medical students, residents, and junior faculty). N-ABL addresses six pillars - curriculum, mentorship, pathways for reporting incidents of racism and
mistreatment, wellness, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, and the transition from learner to physician. Within each area, current issues are flagged and institutional solutions are recommended.
The Community Health Centre Education Program (CHCE) is also a noteworthy initiative available to all Black medical students in Ontario. Founded by BPAO’s Dr. Dominick Shelton, this nine-week summer employment program offers first and second year students the chance to work at a community health centre (CHC) that mainly serves Black patients. Through this experience, students will engage in patient care, complete operational tasks, and establish themselves in an interprofessional team.
The initiative sets students up for success and will increase the number of muchneeded Black physicians working within communities.
Planting seeds for success
At their assigned CHC, participants are also expected to create a project or significantly contribute to an existing project of their choosing. Throughout the process, they’ll receive ongoing feedback and guidance from an assigned supervisor. They'll also have the chance to attend lectures specifically pertaining to the role of CHCs
and health care in the Black community, and about the national and provincial health care system. The program culminates with a symposium where students present their completed projects.
The BPAO also works to improve the health of Black communities in Ontario. Partnered with the Black Health Alliance, the Black Health and Wellness Initiative (BHWI) ensures that community collaboration and progression leads to better health engagement and outcomes across the province’s Black populations. BHWI aims to be intertwined within these neighbourhoods and foster lasting relationships. It brings long-overdue support and resources, builds gradual trust between individuals and organizations, and represents what’s possible for future care.
Parkinson's Care: Shaping the Future of Health Care
Living with Parkinson’s presents unique challenges, especially in accessing health care. Parkinson’s, a complex brain disease, affects over 100,000 Canadians, with 30 new diagnoses daily. Recognizing the individual journey of each person with Parkinson’s is crucial, as highlighted in the case of Surrey, B.C., resident Bob de Wit, who’s grappling with the unpredictable symptoms and gaps in care. Parkinson Canada advocates for diverse care providers, such as neurologists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists, to address the complexity of the disease. We strive to ease access to care through collaboration, research, and community-building, emphasizing a holistic approach that encompasses all aspects of life.
Improving access and fuelling innovation Research and technology are pivotal in enhancing health care access for individuals with Parkinson’s. Since 1981, the Parkinson Canada Research Program has invested more than $31 million in funding through various programs. This involves funding opportunities, contributing to both Parkinson’s knowledge advancement and enhancing access to care.
As technology evolves, opportunities to synergize health care access with progress increase. One method is through the collaborative initiative eCARE-PD, developed by Dr. Tiago Mestre and his team at The Ottawa Hospital. This mobile application aims to eliminate barriers to specialized care and to provide home-based solutions. Early engagement of individuals in its design makes it a personalized tool, empowering users to monitor symptoms, set health care goals, track daily activities, and connect with community support, regardless of their location or abilities.
Another vital tool is CareFinder, an online directory connecting people with Parkinson’s to services, including movement disorder specialists and essential wellness programs, based on location and search criteria. Experience the future of health care firsthand with eCARE-PD and CareFinder.
Strengthening community and building partnerships Parkinson Canada leads in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, building key relationships with attendees, specialists, and researchers. Collaborating with other Parkinson’s organizations and the Canadian Movement Dis-
orders Society, Parkinson Canada charts a path to a health care future fuelled by collaboration.
“Through community strength and strategic partnerships, Parkinson Canada is charting a path to a health care future fuelled by collaboration,” says Karen Lee, President and CEO of Parkinson Canada.
Recognizing the impact of collaborative research, Parkinson Canada and Brain Canada also persist in their collaboration, notably establishing the Canadian Open Parkinson Network. This national research network unites expert clinicians, researchers, and participants (people living with Parkinson’s) to break down research siloes and accelerate discoveries.
Self-empowerment and advocacy
In commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle for those with Parkinson's, support extends through programs and services empowering people living with Parkinson’s. These initiatives aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of Parkinson’s, helping individuals to lead fulfilling lives despite challenges. Whether through national events such as SuperWalk or art auctions with Women for Parkinson’s, there are ways to get involved in the community.
At the core of this self-empowerment philosophy are the eCARE-PD app and CareFinder. Parkinson Canada advocates for the needs of the Parkinson’s community with governments, actively engaging and advocating for responsive policy changes.
Parkinson Canada is dedicated to shaping the future of health care, beyond traditional disease treatment. Our aim is to empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives through the right lifestyle, medication, community, support, and pathways. Harmonizing these elements is essential, making living with Parkinson’s not just a possibility but a reality. As part of our commitment, we’re actively advancing initiatives to improve access to care, including the development of a comprehensive care pathway, economic data analysis, and strategic investment in research on innovative care models. These endeavours enhance accessibility and overall well-being, inspiring the belief that, even with Parkinson’s, living well is still possible.
Katherine Cappellacci
To learn more, visit bpao.org
This article was sponsored by the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario.
Parkinson Canada
learn more, please visit parkinson.ca By fostering collaboration, research, and community-building, Parkinson Canada is on a mission to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.
This article was sponsored by Parkinson Canada
Personalizing Depression Treatment: A Better Path Forward
faster.
Sonya Friesen
In Canada, two out of three people treated for depression do not achieve remission when given a standard treatment.
As a result, many depressed Canadians endure multiple medication trials, with some never achieving relief. It can be a seemingly never-ending treatment journey that adds to the already heavy burden of mental illness.
Through a simple non-invasive at-home test, however, Toronto-based Inagene Diagnostics Ltd is improving this all-too-common treatment journey, using evidence-based sources to help Canadians find effective treatments for depression, and a variety of other conditions, faster.
“We know that individuals tend to respond differently to different treatments,” says Ashwin Juneja, Clinical Affairs Lead for Inagene Diagnostics Ltd. “It’s important to focus on the possible root of some of these differences, finding treatments that will actually work for individuals.”
A common concern
Over 99 per cent of the population is likely to have genetic changes that impact their medication response. By understanding a person’s DNA, a healthcare professional can better predict a medication that will work best for that specific person. This treatment approach has been shown to be particularly promising in helping to address mental health conditions like depression.
When it comes to depression, treatments can often take roughly four weeks
to work. It’s a period that can unknowingly extend the time that an individual is on an ineffective medication, stalling a transition to one that is more effective. In others, this period may be associated with persistent side effects that could potentially be avoided.
By providing Canadians with personalized insights, Inagene Diagnostics Ltd is playing a critical role in helping clients identify more effective medication options, shortening their treatment journey and reducing the likelihood of side effects by 30 per cent.
The future of treatment
Using a simple cheek swab mailed to clients’ homes, Inagene Diagnostics Ltd arms individuals and their health care providers with insights that allow them to potentially find a better solution. It’s an incredibly simple process that’s leading to life-changing results.
Once a client has completed the test, the sample is mailed back to Inagene Diagnostics Ltd’s accredited regulated lab, where it's analyzed against common medications with evidence-based associations that are globally curated and accepted. This allows Inagene Diagnostics Ltd to produce an individualized report that suggests which medications might be best suited to the client given their unique genetic changes.
Inagene Diagnostics Ltd prides itself on its commitment to privacy, by encrypting and de-identifying personal data which is securely stored to meet standards that ensure that
The Future of Canadian Health Care is in Communities
Erik Sande
Health care in Canada has evolved significantly over the years, with an increased focus on delivering personalized and accessible services. One approach gaining momentum, alongside practices like virtual care, is Mobile Integrated Health (MIH). It’s a holistic, team-based approach that brings health care services directly to individuals within their homes and communities.
In ChathamKent, Ont., the local community paramedicine program has resulted in an 84 per cent reduction in 911 calls and a 51 per cent reduction in emergency department visits for targeted populations.
Supporting people and communities MIH emphasizes proactive, communitycentered, culturally relevant care that addresses both immediate and long-term health needs. Programs are often publicly funded yet privately delivered and can take many forms: public health assistance, primary and preventative health care, remote patient monitoring, after-hours sup -
port, palliative care at-home, mobile clinics, and targeted support for socially vulnerable populations such as seniors, those with complex medical needs, and those in remote, rural, and Indigenous communities.
Making an impact
Results from various privately delivered, publicly funded MIH programs are making an impact on the people and communities being served. In Chatham-Kent, Ont., the local community paramedicine program has resulted in an 84 per cent reduction in 911 calls and a 51 per cent reduction in emergency department visits for targeted populations. Meanwhile, in Saskatoon, Sask., a mobile health bus is a collaboration between the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the provincial and federal governments that provides dental services and community paramedicine support to seven First Nations communities. The bus operates four days a week, 10 months a year, providing direct access to care to over 15,000 people annually.
Across Prince Edward Island, a mobile mental health service provides
personal data is protected. Once the report has been produced, all DNA samples are destroyed, unless otherwise specified by the client.
It’s an important step in helping Canadians take control of their own health, in turn leading to better, more effective mental health treatment.
“As we move into the future, genetics-led treatment will be an important piece of the medication-treatment landscape,” Juneja says. With long specialist waitlists and general practitioners already short on time, these insights have the potential to be ground-breaking for patients resisting conventional treatment options:
“It’s about personalizing care for each individual, helping them meet their clinical and personal treatment goals, faster,” says Juneja.
a community-focused response from a specialized health care team to Islanders experiencing a mental health crisis. Since 2021, the team has responded to ~7,000 calls supporting over 4,500 Islanders (and counting). Over 96 per cent of patients are treated in their communities, rather than being transferred to the emergency department.
And one of the best examples of how MIH can quickly address urgent public health issues was seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams across the country were engaged to facilitate provincial border screenings and mobile testing clinics. They also mobilized to deliver regional mobile and workplace vaccine clinics across various geographies.
Final thoughts
In the face of today’s complex health care challenges, it’s important to bring together a mix of knowledge, expertise, and talent to develop, test, and scale alternative models of care. Other publicly funded primary care services are making strides by bringing care to individuals who don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. The focus is connecting people to the health care they need with in-person, telephone, or online appointments while they wait for a longer-term placement with a permanent provider. A centralized health record is maintained that follows patients with each of their appointments, allowing for any needed follow-up.
By maintaining momentum and continually evolving community-centered care to meet the diverse needs of Canada's regions and populations, we can put health care back into the heart of our communities. Ultimately, we can help to ensure people receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
Inagene
For Canadians experiencing depression, a simple DNA test may shine a light on the most efficient treatment — getting help,
Erik Sande President, Medavie Health Services
This article was sponsored by Medavie
Access to Community Support and Services Within Reach for All Ontarians
This organization is leaning on innovation to provide Ontarians free and confidential access to mental health community-based supports and services.
Sonya Friesen
For those struggling with mental health or addiction, the Ontario healthcare landscape can be tricky to navigate. Roughly one in three Canadians will experience mental illness at some point in their life, while an estimated 21 per cent of Canadians will meet the criteria for addiction. It’s vital that Ontarians have access to community-based supports and services, helping them tackle these struggles directly. Yet, the Ontario Medical Association says 2.2 million Ontarians don't have a family doctor, and therefore, limited access to a professional they can reliably turn to when they're seeking resources to help support struggles with mental illness, addictions, or problem gambling.
“If people don’t have access to a health professional, they're more likely to go online, where there are a lot of options and choices,” says Joseph Ukposidolo, Marketing and Communications Manager at ConnexOntario, explaining why Ontarians can find it difficult to seek out and access relevant help.
Accessing local support ConnexOntario is an organization that helps facilitate access to community
supports and services for Ontarians; something many can benefit from, but few knows exists. “ConnexOntario looks to close the loop on access to these critical supports and services,” Ukposidolo says.
The organization envisions a province where all people are connected to local mental health supports and services — wherever, whenever, and however they need it. They offer 24/7 access to information for those experiencing problems with gambling, drugs, alcohol, or mental health struggles. We're able to provide in-depth details of the programs within our database. These details could help the public inform their decisions about support and services within the province. Those seeking support — either for themselves or for a loved one — can access system navigation experts at all hours of the day. The service is free and confidential.
Providing and maintaining the level of support ConnexOntario prides itself on also means adapting to new and innovative ways to ensure quality service delivery. The organization has worked to integrate innovative technologies into its practices, allowing it to maintain a high standard of care, while ensuring they stay true to their values.
Canada's healthcare system is grappling with significant challenges — shortages of doctors, crowded emergency departments, and extreme staff burnout. The complexity of these issues, coupled with competing priorities across provinces, makes it difficult to find effective solutions.
Canada also trails behind G7 counterparts in adopting digital health tools, particularly e-prescribing. This could alleviate administrative costs and save an estimated $500 million annually by reducing drug misuse, improving patient adherence, and minimizing medication errors that lead to physician or emergency room visits and hospitalization, all benefiting the health outcomes of Canadians.
While e-prescribing is a newer concept in Canada, countries like the U.S. and Portugal have embraced the technology for nearly a decade, serving as models for PrescribeIT® - Canada’s national e-prescription service. PrescribeIT® integrates seamlessly into our healthcare system, enabling healthcare professionals to digitally send prescriptions directly to a patient’s pharmacy.
E-prescribing offers clear advantages. Beyond the substantial potential savings, a recent review found that 7 in 10 prescribers say that PrescribeIT® has increased their prescribing efficiency and 81 per cent of prescribers have seen improvements in their clinical workflow.
Although there has been notable progress, continued growth in the adoption of e-prescribing is crucial, requiring legislative support and commitment from all levels of government. With more than 14,000 prescribers and 7,000 pharmacies already part of PrescribeIT®, a $500 million investment won't solve all healthcare challenges, but it has the potential to make a significant impact.
Evolving and Innovating
“We need to create services that reflect the needs of a community as diverse as Ontario,” Ukposidolo says.
“Removing language as a barrier, is just one example of how we can create opportunities for everyone to access community support.” Using new software, ConnexOntario offers 24/7 live agent support in over 130 languages and uses an e-referral program to help patients access help quickly.
Transitioning to ethical AI-integration has also been critical to connecting more Ontarians to care. “AI can be a helpful tool, but we know the importance behind making sure the public knows the difference between AI and a live agent,” Ukposidolo explains. “As such, we look at AI as a co-pilot to our staff, rather than the actual person helping people in need.”
By adapting to new innovations and technology, like AI and digital tools, ConnexOntario can continue to deliver the highest quality of care to Ontarians, ensuring anyone can access the community supports and services they need.
To connect to free and confidential information about addictions and mental health supports and services, call 1.866.531.2600, chat with us at connexontario.ca
Conference Board of Canada Report Highlights Significant Potential of PAs
Employing more physician assistants across Canada can improve patient care, support current healthcare workers, and provide financial efficiencies.
Anew report from the Conference Board of Canada, Unlocking Potential: Exploring Physician Assistant Funding Models and Impact Potential for Three Practice Settings, highlights the important role that physician assistants (PAs) are playing in health systems across Canada. It calls for governments to explore a new funding model that would make it easier for hospitals, primary care teams, and physicians to employ PAs, allowing for reduced wait times and better access to physicians.
The report suggests that a discounted billing model for services provided by PAs has the potential to increase the number of patients seen in emergency departments, primary care, and orthopedics. This model also allows physicians to focus on patients with urgent or complex needs, reduces physician burnout, and decreases costs for the system.
Harnessing efficiencies
Adopting employer remunerated funding models that incorporate PAs at a discounted billing rate can achieve significant financial efficiency, improved patient access to care, and potential savings.
PAs are proven to enhance physician practice and resident training and improve care in academic surgical settings. Numerous pilot projects have demonstrated time and again the value and effectiveness of PAs.
Findings of the report, which was commissioned by the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants (CAPA), are aligned with the global trend of recognizing the crucial role PAs play. Canada can also harness the full potential of PAs to address some of the most pressing challenges in health care delivery. CAPA urges Canadian leaders and policymakers to consider adopting funding models that integrate PAs into various health care specialties.
Melissa Vekil
Kristy Corrente, Director, Advocacy and Communications, Canadian Association of Physician Assistants
The Future of Canadian Vaccine Manufacturing Is Here — and Ready for Future Pandemics
Sanofi Canada’s leading advanced biotechnology manufacturing and upcoming state-of-theart vaccine manufacturing facilities are helping Canada to be future-ready and self-sufficient.
TMatthieu Puyet Head of Manufacturing & Supply & Toronto Site Head, Sanofi Canada
h e past few years have underscored the vital importance of access to made-in-Canada vaccines, treatments, and resources to help protect Canadians from illness. At the onset of the pandemic, many organizations quickly mobilized to produce the tools needed to combat the virus, like PPE and testing kits. However, when it came to vaccines, Canada had to reach beyond its borders to deliver to Canadians the treatment and protections they needed.
Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada recognized the importance of building a strong and resilient biomanufacturing and life sciences industry and the need for domestic production capacity that can be quickly adapted and scaled. Specifically, investments in Canada’s domestic life sciences and vaccine manufacturing sectors are bridging this gap to help ensure a steady supply of the vaccines and treatments Canadians need now and in the future.
much potential to our industry,” says Kate Winchester, Head of Manufacturing at Sanofi Canada.
“One of these facilities is a new end-to-end manufacturing facility to produce seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines that will help protect Canadians and their families. This building will have flexible filling and packaging systems that will allow us to meet emerging needs.”
Developing an agile, skilled workforce
With over 2,000 employees at the Toronto Campus, Sanofi Canada employs more than 300 focused R&D staff and 180 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) co-op and research students each year, and 300 jobs will be available with the opening of the new facilities.
As Canada’s largest investor in advanced manufacturing, we’re committed to investing in and leading advanced biotechnology manufacturing.
Sanofi plays a key role in this strategy. “With a nearly 110-year heritage at our Toronto Campus — which began with Canada’s first mass production of insulin — we remain dedicated to making a difference in patients’ daily lives, wherever they live, and enabling them to enjoy a healthier life,” says Matthieu Puyet, Head of Manufacturing and Supply and Toronto Site Head at Sanofi Canada.
When looking ahead, focusing on a few key priorities will help push the industry forward to help protect Canadians from future pandemics.
Boosting Canada’s readiness
“As Canada’s largest investor in advanced manufacturing, we’re committed to investing in and leading advanced biotechnology manufacturing,” says Puyet.
With partnership investments across all levels of government, Toronto will be home to facilities to support domestic capacity and preparedness for future pandemics.
“We’re going to have two new state-of-the-art vaccine manufacturing facilities, which bring so
“It’s an exciting time for Canadians in STEM. We have world-class, industry-leading facilities where our own experts — whether in science, manufacturing, or technology — are making a positive impact on public health here while growing their careers,” says Winchester. “Additionally, one priority we have is to nurture emerging talent by giving them a meaningful place to learn with the latest technologies.”
Innovative smart factories are the future Digital technologies will continue to have a major impact on everything Sanofi does moving forward.
“We’ve embedded digital infrastructure into our newest facilities, making them smart factories from day one,” says Puyet. “Our artificial intelligence uses predictive analytics to provide data to help us make faster, informed decisions and pivot processes while ensuring consistent quality, and to deliver products more efficiently.”
A smart factory in Toronto means Canada will be ready when the time is right to implement these technologies in a pandemic.
“It’s an exciting time to work in our industry here in Canada — there hasn’t always been this level of investment,” says Winchester. “It means a lot to have the opportunity to work in this field, to contribute to public health both locally and beyond, and to continue to make an impact on Canadians’ lives by delivering essential medicines.”
Learn more at sanofi.ca.
Kate Winchester Head of Manufacturing, Sanofi Canada
Taking the Fatigue Out of Compassion
Do you feel worn out when helping others? Would you believe that “compassion fatigue” is not to blame?
CShawn Fisk Shawn is an engaging educator, clinician, facilitator, and public speaker whose professional expertise is informed by more than 20 years of experience with systems of care for Substance Use Health needs. As an ally, counsellor, therapist, and peer, Shawn directs his passion for the study of psychology, concurrent disorders, mental health and Substance Use Health, towards standing beside and supporting those whose health needs care.
APSA has trained thousands of service providers, in the caring professions, on substance use stigma. Consistently, participants raise urgent concerns of burnout, frustration, and fatigue. They ask how they can continue caring, in compassionate ways, when they feel like they have reached their limits. So, CAPSA decided to look more closely at this issue, to better understand what factors are at play when people insist that they are suffering from compassion fatigue and to create ways to practice true compassion in a way that doesn’t lead to a lack of wellness for both the caregiver and those seeking care. Does this feeling really come from too much compassion? Or is it a question of too much focus on and attachment to the anticipated outcomes of our help? Being kind to others doesn’t need to fatigue those whose job it is to help them. Let’s explore this.
True compassion does not have associated conditions or demands. It doesn’t come with expectation of compliance to a caregiver’s expertise, nor to what they hope will happen. Compassion means there are no strings attached to care beyond the here and now. A focus on being present, without jumping ahead to results, is a skill that is learned, re-learned, and practised, and not an emotion, natural ability, or personality trait as is often portrayed.
The most instructive lessons on compassionate care come from untrained strangers — people with lived and living expertise (peers) — who gather to provide parallel Substance Use Health care outside of the formal health system. This care emerged out of necessity. Until the passing of Canada’s first National Drug Strategy in 1987, substance use, and health were treated as separate issues, with no formal services as we know them to exist today.
It is telling that in over a century of mutual aid, we have rarely heard a peer say they felt burned out or fatigued by helping. These words are not used in peer circles. We first heard these words when we started accessing services. The disconnect between care from peers versus that from professionals underlines the gap between the understanding and the practice of compassion in the health field today. Compassion is nothing new to health professionals. Carl Rogers (1961), the founder of client-centred practices, put compassion at the centre of the client-service provider relationship. Rogers laid out the core components in his seminal work, On Becoming a Person, that are central to compassionate practice. Long before they were named as skills or referenced in the literature, these practices helped people be well. They have stood the test of time and are held as self-evident truths among peers.
Compassion is the skill to be in the presence of someone while wishing them well, whatever that is in the moment. It is not demanding or controlling of any outcome.
(CAPSA, 2023)
Compassionate practice requires a careful balance of intimacy and space; in excess, both can lead to a decline in wellness. Caregivers’ beliefs about themselves and those they help often determine whether they can strike this balance. Do they believe that they are heroic and can save others from their peril, or are they prepared to sit beside someone and offer their unconditional support in that moment?
Have you ever heard yourself say things like:
If you would only listen to me, things would be better
• I know what you need
If others can do it, so can you
• You need to make better choices
Aren’t you tired of this
I can help protect you from yourself
These messages make assumptions about the other person and are attached to outcomes that you believe to be important and this slowly erodes true compassion. Instead, here are some beliefs that signal a healthy practice of compassion: I don’t suffer as a consequence of caring for others
• Caring for others is not sharing their pain
Sadness is not the same as burnout, it’s a sign that I care
Showing compassion is not about my demands or expectations
These are the practices that demonstrate compassion, yet we hear from caregivers that they suffer from compassion fatigue. Can simply caring for someone actually make someone unwell? Perhaps, what is being experienced is control fatigue, a form of exhaustion coming from the belief that one has power over another person’s outcomes.
Control, the attempt to manage the outcomes of others, is hard to shake. When we fixate on the future of others through the lens of our own expectations and timelines, what we know to be control, it becomes a barrier to care. This barrier results in weaker relationships, inadequate helping processes, and poorer long-term health outcomes for us all, which manifests itself as fatigue for the caregiver.
So, what can be done about this? The first thing to do is recognize when expectations and control are leaking into our caregiving.
This is the source of frustration and fatigue. Then, by practicing and developing the skill of compassion we can learn to let go of our demands. By using this skill on behalf of those we care for, we can be with them as and how they need, holding hope for their wellness.
Shawn Fisk
THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE:
Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile Leads the Way
Counteracting the shortage of health care professionals in Canada, the Mole Mobile travels throughout Canada to provide care to patients directly.
In an exciting leap forward, Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile is rewriting the rules of health care accessibility, making skin cancer screening available to thousands of Canadians. This innovative mobile skin cancer screening unit, the first of its kind in Canada, recently completed its tour of Ontario after covering an impressive 8,192 kilometres and making stops in 42 communities. The unit stopped in major cities with long wait times to see a dermatologist as well as remote, Indigenous, and underserved communities.
With the Mole Mobile we were able to go directly into patients’ communities and to diagnose skin cancers early, which greatly improves outcomes for these patients.
Bringing screenings directly to communities
From May 2 to November 4, 2023, the Mole Mobile provided free skin cancer screenings to 4,078 patients in Ontario, giving them the advantage of timely diagnoses. Through the expertise of certified Canadian dermatologists on board, 772 suspicious lesions were identified, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Julia Carroll, a member of Melanoma Canada’s Board of Directors and Chair of the 2023 Mole Mobile program, expressed pride in the initiative’s impact, saying, “With the Mole Mobile we were able to go directly into patients’ communities and to diagnose skin cancers early, which greatly improves outcomes for these patients.”
But, why the Mole Mobile? It’s a response to the shortage of health care professionals, especially dermatologists, in Canada, which leads to frustratingly long wait times for appointments. By bringing screenings directly to communities, the Mole Mobile ensures that individuals receive timely diagnoses and follow-up care.
Skin cancers are one of the few cancers with incidence rates on the rise in Canada. In fact, one in three cancers diagnosed are skin cancer. This not only takes a toll on individuals but also costs the health care system over $500 million annually, with advanced cases reaching over $160,000 per patient. The shortage of dermatologists, especially in remote areas, along with delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to delays in treatments being administered and thus lowers patient survival rates.
Expanding the fleet
The Mole Mobile isn’t just a quick fix, either — it’s a wake-up call for accessible dermatological care. With plans to tour the country over a fiveyear period (dependent on financial support), the Mole Mobile aims to make skin cancer screenings accessible to all Canadians.
Following its success in Ontario, Melanoma Canada will expand its fleet, introducing a second mobile skin cancer screening unit. The Mole Mobiles will travel across British Columbia and Quebec in 2024. The Mole Mobile’s second tour, starting in May, will kick off during Melanoma Canada’s Smash Out Skin Cancer Pickleball Tournament in Montreal, featuring Hollywood actor Billy Baldwin, a dedicated supporter of Melanoma Canada.
As Melanoma Canada’s Mole Mobile continues its mission, it not only addresses immediate health care needs but also highlights broader health care challenges in Canada. By providing access to screen ings and education on self-screening, and promoting sun safety, the Mole Mobile represents a significant step toward improving overall patient outcomes and reducing the incidence of melanoma and skin cancer in the country.
Melanoma Canada