About eHealth Innovations

Key research needs

A key enabler of transformative change in health and health care delivery is the adoption of problem-driven health information technologies, with research as a fundamental prerequisite to drive the development of eHealth innovations. eHealth innovations need to demonstrate how different solutions fit into the entire spectrum of the health system especially for priority populations, such as seniors, youth with mental health problems and other vulnerable populations.

For the health sector, successful eHealth innovations can improve access to health systems for patients, the capacity of the health system to integrate care across the care continuum, as well as improve efficiencies, resulting in greater cost-effectiveness of service delivery. Moving beyond basic electronic medical record databases, advanced eHealth innovations feature integrated and sophisticated technology that enables interconnectivity at all levels.

Background

eHealth Innovations is informed following preliminary work by IHSPR in operating a Catalyst Grant program, an extensive consultation and an eHealth Priority Setting Workshop to develop and assess the readiness of the community.

Purpose

  • Develop, integrate and evaluate eHealth innovations, in collaboration with stakeholders, that will improve the cost-effectiveness of patient and population-centred care using an integrated science approach that incorporates consideration of ethical, legal and social implications; and
  • Increase Canada's competitive position in the health-related ICT industry

Conditions for success

  • Person-oriented rather than technology-oriented solutions
    The initiative will address care gaps and inefficiencies in particular groups where there are substantial potential gains for patients and the health system. Expected targets for improvement include quality, efficiencies and outcomes along the care continuum.
  • Small-and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) driven
    The intent is to foster a vibrant and dynamic eHealth ecosystem in Canada that can incorporate advances in science, and partner with health care to co-innovate effective solutions for addressing real-world health problems.
  • Creation of health care innovation communities
    This initiative will support the creation of health care innovation communities that will be comprised of partnerships among researchers, clinicians, patients and decision makers in a variety of traditional and primary health care delivery settings. The health care innovation communities will possess the capacity to effectively team up with industry in meeting challenges.
  • Formal evaluation methods and metrics
    The design of this initiative will incorporate a scientific approach to using formal evaluation methods and metrics for the evaluation of costs, consequences and benefits from patient, provider and health care system perspectives. Standard measures and targets will support buy-in from the health-system for funding and adoption.

Approach

eHealth Innovations will use a phased development approach to provide optimal research funding opportunities across a continuum of innovation stages.

eHealth Innovations Partnership Program (eHIPP)
eHIPP will focus on development of inter-sectoral collaboration between health care innovation communities (researchers, clinicians, patients and decision makers) and industry to help realize the value of existing innovations. The expectation is for collaborative teams (health care innovation community + industry) to address gaps and inefficiencies in the care of two priority populations:

  • Early detection of and intervention for youth (11-25 years of age) with mental health conditions
  • Seniors with complex care needs in their homes and communities

Visit the funding page to learn about eHealth Innovations opportunities.

Resources

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