Good morning, Other Siders!

Welcome to another exciting edition of our joyful and informative newsletter, where we navigate the healthcare industry with a sprinkle of laughter and a dash of wit! 🎉

As we dive into May 24th, let's celebrate not only our love for healthcare insights but also the marvellous National Scavenger Hunt Day! 🕵️‍♀️🗺️ So, let's put on our detective hats and hunt for the hidden treasures of healthcare tidbits together!

In this edition, we've got an enchanting blend of giggles, breakthroughs, and curious tales from the world of healthcare in Canada and beyond. Brace yourselves for the most exciting journey to the "other side" yet!

So grab a cup of your favourite beverage, cozy up, and let's explore the brighter side of healthcare together. Ready? Let's dive in and spread some joy! 😄🌈 

News That Impacts You!

🌈 Together We Heal: Addressing the Pediatric Mental Health Crisis 🤝

In Alberta, the Children's Hospital is grappling with a rising tide of young patients with complex mental health needs, causing families to endure lengthy waits in the emergency department. Despite a slight decrease in overall mental health ER visits between 2018 and 2022, the number of children requiring hospital admission has surged by 36%. Additionally, there has been a 20% increase in children needing specialized mental health care in the emergency department during the same period. The hospital's resources were already strained before the pandemic, which only exacerbated the situation. The impact of social media exposure, pandemic-related isolation, and economic stressors on this surge remains unclear. However, a recently opened mental health facility aims to alleviate some of the pressure. Nevertheless, more accessible, equitable, and effective care is needed.

❤️ Caring for our Elders: Prioritizing Seniors' Well-being!

In the face of a cost of living crisis, Canada's Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera, emphasizes the need to support the country's aging population. With seniors projected to make up a quarter of the population by 2051, measures must be put in place to ensure their access to services, knowledge, and resources as they age. The government has taken actions to promote social inclusion, support aging at home, and make life more affordable. Efforts include restoring the age of retirement to 65, increasing income support for low-income seniors, and investing in healthcare and home and community care. The goal is to provide dignity, respect, and a high quality of life for seniors.

🚀✨ Expanding Access: The Future of Primary Care in Canada

In the world of primary care, community health centres (CHCs) in Canada are making a difference. Similar to catchment areas, these centres provide location-based access to family doctors, offering comprehensive care under one roof. With a team-based approach that includes physicians, nurses, social workers, and dietitians, CHCs address the complex health and social needs of patients. The model proves successful, with positive health outcomes and cost-effective results. However, capacity issues persist, and many Canadians are still without primary care. The question remains:

How can we expand these community health centres to ensure access to family medicine for all?

💭Let us know what you think by writing to us at [email protected]

Tools & Tech to Keep a Tab On!

🚀 Sky’s No Longer the Limit: Creating ‘Space’ for Better Healthcare

EZResus app designed by emergency physician Frédéric Lemaire at Charles-Lemoyne Hospital in Montreal has been selected as a finalist for the Canadian Space Agency’s Deep Space Healthcare Challenge which hunts for technologies that improve patient care in remote areas and during deep-space missions.

The app is to serve as an aid during the critical first hour of resuscitation when there’s almost no room for error. Using this app would eliminate the need to look up reference books, the net or indulge in complicated analysis on paper to figure out appropriate treatment decisions (e.g., drug dosing, equipment selection, checklists for procedures, etc.). The app will just deduce emergency treatments for patients in one place. Such technology holds great significance, especially, in an industry where a small miscalculation can have severe consequences.

💊 The Ottawa Hospital launches PrescribeIT as a First for Hospitals in Canada

If you are one of our consistent ‘other siders’ you would be aware of the number of times we have written about PrescribeIT®. Well, now we are also pleased to share that The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is the first hospital in Canada to launch PrescribeIT® through its Health Information System (HIS). This move will make it available for 2,500 prescribers to send prescriptions and renewals electronically to a patient's pharmacy of choice, resulting in safer, more efficient patient care and improved communication between clinicians. Successfully piloted with 50 prescribers with the Civic Campus Family Health Team at TOH, it will be interesting to watch the outcomes unravel through a wider set of beneficiaries.

🤖 When You Cannot Work Like a Robot, You Just Create One!

Axniix, a Richmond-based tech company has developed robots along with a Taiwanese robot manufacturer, Aeolus, to support nursing staff with performing various tasks. Different robots have been developed such as a “disinfecting robot” with a UV light on its “arm” to navigate the environment and disinfect objects in the room, and a “security robot” with a 360-degree camera and live feed connected to an app that alerts the owner for security concerns (missing items, unclosed doors or suspicious objects). The robots use AI/ML and sensor technology to conduct actions and their arms are interchangeable for different tasks depending on the need. Already tested in countries such as Japan, prices range from $150,000 to $200,000. Such innovations help reduce the extra burden from already strained staff to focus on core responsibilities and devote more time to patients.

Evolving Global Health

🖥️ Transforming Access to Care Across Nigeria Using Telehealth

The Nigeria federal government, along with Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat) has partnered with Ethnomet, a Canadian health-tech firm to launch a telemedicine platform- ‘NigComHealth’. The intention is to address the ‘brain drain’ situation in Nigeria and provide a safe, personalized, convenient, and accessible means for consultations across the country (including underserved & rural areas) with licensed professionals via a mobile app. Indigenous tech implementation company, Sawtrax is set to lead the implementation across Nigeria and the platform will link all hospitals and their professionals to serve the population. The vision also includes the provision of digital health services to approx. 1.7 million public sector workers and their families with over 80 Federal and State-owned Government hospitals to coexist on the platform.

🦷 Tooth Fairy Granting your Adulthood Dreams Using the Magic of Tech

A dental care app, Toothfairy, developed by two dentists has partnered with Canada Life to provide unlimited access to dentists via video call 24/7 as part of its benefits package. The aim is to allow approx. 2.8 million employees with on-demand virtual helpline access to dentists for assessments, advice, and any urgent prescriptions. The hope is that the service would expand coverage and reduce absenteeism at work. Furthermore, a 10% discount on cosmetic dentistry will also be provided to users. Other nations with similar intentions- this is your Call to Action!

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