Technology and Innovation

‘We became more confident’: Pandemic proving value of no-touch abortions

The pandemic accelerated the roll out of telemedicine abortion care. Now, as restrictions on clinical medicine ease, we must consider whether to revert back to in-person assessments, or embrace telemedicine as a new normal.

We need substantial health system improvements to be prepared for future pandemics

When the next crisis hits, will we again rely on the sheer grit of heroic individuals to craft ‘work-arounds’ with patchwork solutions? Or will we invest in the infrastructure that would improve the lives of Canadians?

When hope kills: Social media’s false promises to cancer patients

Our columnist explains how following her cancer diagnosis, Facebook’s advertising algorithms began targeting her for cancer ads from quacks selling fake cures. We must hold these snake-oil salesmen accountable while teaching people how to not be persuaded by fake solutions.

Integrating care to fill the gap for seniors’ physical, mental health

Mental and physical health are often treated separately, even though they're closely linked. That disconnect can be even worse for seniors, whose care is often fragmented to begin with. But one program is trying to change that.

North York Cares: Health team proving value of innovation

The siloes in Canadian health systems can decrease the quality of care patients receive. But Ontario Health Teams are trying to address this problem by bringing primary care, hospital and community providers together.

AI tool ‘fundamentally changes the game’ for ICU care

In our first learning health system case study, we profile an AI program that predicts which patients are at a high risk of going to the ICU. It has been successfully implemented largely because its developers took input from the physicians and nurses who would be using it from the get go.

Virtual care evens the odds in ‘palliative care lottery’

While virtual care comes with drawbacks that must be carefully managed, it will ultimately be a huge step forward in improving access to palliative care in Ontario and Canada.

Could AI make health care more human?

An AI program in a Toronto hospital seems to be saving lives. Does it also offer a glimpse of a future in which AI makes health care more human, not less?

Seniors with dementia in LTC homes are using virtual reality to relive their pasts

During the pandemic, elderly people with dementia in long-term care homes have used virtual reality to relive their pasts. Is this dementia care's future?

The double pandemic: Canadian doctors running “parallel wards” for family and friends in India

Samir Gupta answers medical questions from family and friends with COVI-19 in India from 10 PM until the early morning. He is one of many Indo-Canadian doctors who are battling a "double pandemic" in both Canada and India.

HOMR’s Odyssey: Calculating palliative need in real time

By using tools that identify which patients have an elevated risk of mortality in the coming year, we can catch patients who would benefit from palliative care planning before they fall through the cracks.

Lessons in health care equity with Vaccine Hunters

The pandemic has highlighted stark equity gaps in health-care access for BIPOC and essential workers. But grassroots initiatives like Vaccine Hunters Canada have brought a broader vision of health equity to the rollout.

Social media behaviour ‘a thermometer’ of mental health

As social media increasingly dominates day-to-day life, it’s not uncommon to see a sudden shift in a friend or family member’s online behaviour. The change in attitude may be an indicator of an emerging or reoccurring mental health issue.

YouTuber ViolinMD explains why she’s demystifying health care online

Siobhan Deshauer is a fourth-year rheumatology resident who makes videos about health care. We interviewed her about training to be a doctor, her channel, and more.

‘I need to do something about this’: Virtual care fills need in treatment of eating disorders

Many eating-disorder treatments were forced to move online during the pandemic. Service providers and participants say they're surprised by how successful virtual supports have been.

The fog of virtual care

In the switch to home care during the pandemic, my patients have been reduced to their diagnosis. The guy with bladder cancer … instead of James with the porcelain dolls.

Privacy a major issue for emerging health technologies

AI is at the forefront of 21st century medical innovation. However, this raises significant privacy concerns, as AI uses large quantities of patient data.

Caring for caregivers: How a phone call can change everything

Canadian caregivers save our healthcare system the equivalent of more than $30 billion every year by providing more than 80 per cent of the care within our communities, yet they remain vulnerable to the impacts of caregiver stress and burnout they commonly experience.

Ethics are critical in the move to digital health

Digital health is playing a pivotal role in transforming how care is delivered during this pandemic. While its benefits may be vast, we must pay attention to the unintended consequences.

The best of both worlds: Cross-disciplinary innovation in healthcare