TELUS to invest $1.3 million in health technology research with the University of Alberta

Research will focus on development of new consumer health technologies and services to support community-based, patient-centric healthcare in Alberta

EDMONTON, May 3, 2012 /CNW/ - TELUS today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine to provide funding support for the newly created Consumer Health Technology Innovation Living Laboratory Community program.

"I am pleased to announce today that we are providing $1.3 million dollars over the next three years to carry out research with the University of Alberta on the application of emerging technologies to improve patient care within the community," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. "Alberta is at the forefront of healthcare transformation and we are continuing to build on that momentum by working with the University of Alberta to establish this national centre of excellence for consumer health technology, which will further showcase Alberta's leadership in healthcare innovation."

Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Chair of the Health Sciences Council said, "This is an important collaboration between the University of Alberta and TELUS. Our partnership will significantly advance the development and adoption of new technologies in the community so people, particularly seniors, can remain independent and healthy. The Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine has long been involved in developing new adaptive and assistive technologies and this partnership is the logical next step we need to help improve the quality of life of Albertans."

The Consumer Health Technology Innovation Living Laboratory Community will explore opportunities for the application of emerging technologies toward patient care within the community.

Some initial studies will include:

• Extending the use of Personal Health Records to patients and their families living with chronic conditions related to diabetes, heart failure, lung disease and mental health;
• Integrating Remote Patient Monitoring devices such as glucometers, weight scales and blood pressure monitors to capture accurate health data directly from patients; and
• Supporting physicians and other members of the healthcare team by integrating care plans and health data in Electronic Medical Records, and making them accessible on tablets and smartphones.

One of the first projects under this new TELUS and U of A partnership is the extension of the current Sherwood Park Primary Care Network project, in collaboration with the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. This initiative will establish a Provider Portal with secured messaging and remote patient monitoring services to improve chronic disease management programs. 

About the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta has an international profile of excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. As the province's flagship university founded more than a century ago, the U of A brings the benefits of being a globally engaged institution to Alberta's citizenry. As an institutional global citizen, the U of A provides and promotes learning, discovery, and creative activity that engage the issues, questions, and concerns that matter to communities locally and internationally.

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.4 billion of annual revenue and 12.7 million customer connections including 7.3 million wireless subscribers, 3.6 million wireline network access lines and 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 500,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered 4.2 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

Chris Gerritsen
TELUS Media Relations                         
403-808-9591
[email protected]

Keri Scobie
Manager, Faculty Communications
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine,
University of Alberta
780-492-9403
ker[email protected]