Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation concludes consultations with idea exchange with International Experts

TORONTO, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation, chaired by Dr. David Naylor, joined experts from health systems around the world in a dialogue about the best practices in healthcare internationally. Experts from Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Denmark, Australia, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, as well as health system leaders from several provinces and territories, were in attendance. In accordance with its Terms of Reference to explore best practices internationally, the Panel heard about successful system-wide innovations and reform in other jurisdictions, and had the opportunity to candidly discuss how the lessons learned could be applicable in the Canadian context.

Since its creation in June 2014, the Panel has been exploring the top areas of innovation in Canada and abroad, with the goal of identifying how the federal government can support those that hold the greatest promise. As a follow-up to broader public consultations held last fall, the Panel has spent the last few months addressing themes that have surfaced from these consultations through meetings and discussions with key stakeholders across the healthcare system. 

Over the coming weeks, the Panel will be collating and analyzing what they have heard in the last ten months, with the final report to be published in June.

Quick Facts

• Over 500 – the number of individuals, groups, organizations and key health system stakeholders the Panel has met with since its inception.
• 10 provinces, three territories – the Panel has met with representatives from all provinces and territories to gain a clearer picture of the challenges to innovation across Canada.
• First Nations - A meeting with the National First Nations Health Technicians Network included First Nations healthcare leaders from many provinces and territories and allowed Panel representatives to hear firsthand about the unique challenges facing First Nations with respect to healthcare delivery.  
• Patients - A roundtable discussion with patients gave Panel members fresh insights into how healthcare systems could better engage and learn from patients, families and caregivers.  
• Researchers - In March, Panel members participated in a Best Brains Exchange on the topic of personalized and precision medicine, hosted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The panellists engaged with researchers at the forefront of scientific discovery and socio-legal issues in this field. Research has also been commissioned on healthcare innovations in Canada, patient engagement, payment models and tax policy.
• Business leaders – At two roundtable meetings in February, the Panel heard from industry representatives and Chief Executive Officers about the role that industry can play in creating a more sustainable and resilient public healthcare system
• Economists – A roundtable was held with economists and tax experts to discuss the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare costs and potential policy solutions to this burden where the federal government could play a key role.
• International Best Practices – As part of its international scan of healthcare innovation, panel members visited Washington, D.C.  The delegation met healthcare experts and administrators to discuss the major changes afoot in the American healthcare system, paying particular attention to payment reform and modes of engaging clinical leaders. .

Quote

"Other jurisdictions, like Canada, are trying to formulate policies that will make their healthcare systems more sustainable and innovative. While the Panel has heard from hundreds of Canadians through our extensive consultations, today we gained a more intimate understanding of innovation in high-performing healthcare systems. Those insights will be invaluable as we begin drafting our advice to Minister Ambrose."
Dr. David Naylor
Chair, Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation

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Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation
Terms of Reference for Advisory Panel

SOURCE Health Canada

Contacts: Michael Bolkenius, Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Health, [phone]; Leslie Meerburg, [phone]; Public Inquiries: [phone], 1-866 225-0709