What We Heard: Delivering Connected Care for Canadians

On October 1, 2024, key leaders from across the healthcare sector gathered in Ottawa to discuss the importance of health data interoperability and its role in delivering connected care to Canadians. Through insightful presentations and panel discussions, participants examined how data-driven innovations can transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes.

Here are the key takeaways:

Transitioning to Preventive Healthcare

The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, opened the event by addressing the need for a shift from crisis-based to preventive healthcare in Canada. He highlighted that 70% of chronic diseases are preventable, making early intervention critical to reducing the healthcare burden. He underscored the importance of focusing on public engagement in preventive care, noting that better health outcomes are possible when issues are managed proactively, rather than reactively.

Minister Holland emphasized the value of patient access to their health records, which empowers individuals and leads to more informed discussions with healthcare providers. He concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to support initiatives like the Connected Care for Canadians Act (Bill C-72), which aims to break down silos in health data management.

Lessons from International Models: Finland’s FINDATA

Saara Malkamäki, Programme Manager at the University of Basel’s Innovation Office, presented insights from Finland’s health data infrastructure. A key component of Finland’s success is FINDATA, the national data authority that collects and processes social and health data from a range of sources. Malkamäki emphasized the role of public-private cooperation in achieving 100% coverage of electronic medical records.

One of the standout aspects of FINDATA is the high level of public trust in data usage, which stems from Finland’s strong welfare state model. Trust is critical for enabling broad participation in medical research and health initiatives. Finland’s experience illustrates the potential for Canada to strengthen its own health data governance by focusing on building public confidence and adopting interoperable systems that facilitate cross-sector collaboration.

Achieving Health Data Interoperability: A Shared Priority

A key theme throughout the event was the urgent need for interoperability in healthcare data. Experts from both public and private sectors, including Michael Green of Canada Health Infoway and Brigitte Nolet of Roche Canada, discussed the challenges of connecting fragmented health systems across the country. They highlighted the importance of common technical and data standards to facilitate the seamless exchange of patient information and secondary use of health data.

Participants agreed that patient-centered care is essential, and providing patients with access to their own health data is a critical step toward empowering individuals to take an active role in managing their health. This approach requires not only technological advancements but also thoughtful policies that balance innovation with patient privacy and security.

Leveraging AI for Health System Transformation

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare was another focus of the event. Panelists, including Luk Arbuckle from IQVIA and Christine Sham from Ontario’s Ministry of Health, emphasized the transformative role AI can play in diagnostics, administrative efficiency, and personalized patient care. However, they also discussed the need for ethical governance of AI technologies. The risks associated with AI misuse are significant, but so are the risks of not utilizing it to address systemic inefficiencies. AI must be applied thoughtfully, with clear ethical guidelines to ensure it enhances patient outcomes while maintaining trust.

The Role of Public-Private Partnerships

Several discussions throughout the day touched on the critical role of public-private partnerships in advancing health data initiatives. Panelists pointed to successful collaborations, such as New Brunswick’s My Health NB and Ontario’s partnerships with private vendors, as examples of how such cooperation can lead to innovation and improved healthcare delivery. These partnerships allow the public sector to focus on patient outcomes while the private sector manages the technological and operational challenges of system integration.

Overcoming Challenges to Connected Care

Despite progress, there are still significant barriers to achieving connected care across Canada. Data fragmentation remains a challenge, with provincial boundaries often hindering the flow of information between systems. The event highlighted the need to implement the
Pan-Canadian Health Data Charter to standardize data sharing and ensure consistency across jurisdictions.

Additionally, investment in computational infrastructure is necessary to support the growing use of AI and digital solutions in healthcare. Speakers called for a balanced approach to regulation and innovation, advocating for policies that protect patients without stifling technological advancements.

Building Trust and Public Engagement

Trust emerged as a recurring theme. Both panelists and audience members emphasized the importance of building public trust in health data sharing. Participants agreed that engaging patients in conversations about the benefits of data-driven healthcare—and ensuring that they have access to their own health information—is crucial for fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

As healthcare leaders continue to push for greater health data interoperability, they also recognized the need for improving digital literacy and communication strategies to better explain the safeguards in place to protect patient data.

Moving Forward: Collective Action for Connected Care

The event underscored the need for collective action in advancing health data interoperability. Whether through government policy, AI integration, or public-private partnerships, collaboration will be key to transforming Canada’s healthcare system. With initiatives like Bill C-72 and the development of a Pan-Canadian Health Data Charter, there is clear momentum toward a more connected, patient-centered model of care.

As we look ahead, it is essential that all stakeholders—government, healthcare providers, industry leaders, and patients—work together to create a better health data ecosystem that supports innovation and improves health outcomes for all Canadians.

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