Government of Canada supports new eHealth research projects to empower patients and enable better health care

News Release

Twenty-two projects funded across the country for youth mental health and for seniors with complex care needs

March 3, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Institutes of Health Research

The Minister of Health, Jane Philpott, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains, and the Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan, today announced $13.8 million in funding for 22 innovative eHealth projects.

In recent years, the field of eHealth has moved beyond basic electronic medical record databases. Today, eHealth innovations use sophisticated technology to create greater efficiency within the health care system, improved patient experience, and better coordination across different levels of care. Canada has the talent, the intelligence, and the passion to become a world leader in the field of eHealth.

The 22 research projects focus on youth mental health and on seniors with complex care needs at home, and truly highlight the remarkable degree of Canadian creativity and tech savviness.

From the development of an app to enhance Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for youth being treated for anxiety and depression, to programs that allow doctors and nurses to monitor the health of seniors in the comfort of their homes – these projects will help to empower patients to be partners in their health care, support better health outcomes, and accelerate innovation in Canada’s health system and growing health information technology (IT) industry.

Quotes

“I am excited to see Canadian ingenuity at work to support the health of Canadians. These projects have the potential to make high quality mental health services more available to the young Canadians who need them, and they are also making great strides for the delivery of increased home care services. We have the talent, the intelligence and the passion in Canada to make the field of eHealth one of our (many) strengths.”
- Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Health

“The funding announced today is an excellent example of how the Government of Canada is supporting innovation, scientific research and entrepreneurship. Innovation in the health sector can help improve the patient experience while also keeping costs low. Canadian technology companies have a lot to offer for our health care system, and I am glad to see Canadian academia, industry and patients working together to deliver better outcomes using new technologies.”
- Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“I am pleased that the National Research Council of Canada is working with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to improve health care in our country. The technologies and services they develop in the field of e-health will improve the well-being of Canadians and provide affordable alternatives, particularly for youth and seniors.”
- Honourable Kirsty Duncan
Minister of Science

“Canada has no shortage of innovative health care thinkers, top-notch health researchers or vibrant entrepreneurs. Through eHIPP, these great minds are coming together to deliver creative eHealth solutions for some of our country’s most pressing health care needs. I am particularly proud of the ways in which these projects put patients first, often by empowering them to be partners in their own care.”
- Dr. Alain Beaudet
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Quick Facts

  • The 22 research projects are funded through the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) eHealth Innovation Partnership Program.

Related Products

Contacts

Andrew MacKendrick
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system for Canadians. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 13,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

Page details

Date modified: