Shawn Drake, PhD, MS

📢 November Presentation Recap: Adapting Digital Competencies for Canada’s Public Health Workforce At this year’s BC Centre for Disease Control Research Week, we presented findings from our study: “Adapting Digital Competencies & Training for Canada’s Public Health Workforce: Canadian Public Health Practitioners’ Perspective.” 💡 Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Evolving Systems and Foundational Skills: Public health systems must evolve to support digital competencies, starting with strengthening foundational public health skills and integrating digital literacy across existing curricula. 2️⃣ Specialization with Flexibility: While general digital competencies are essential, specialized roles and training should be available to address emerging needs, with hands-on, real-world learning at the core. 📍 Next Steps: Explore faculty perspectives on integrating digital competencies into public health practice. Develop systems-focused training approaches that bridge gaps between public health and digital disciplines. This work highlights the importance of preparing Canada’s public health workforce for the future, where ethical, equitable, and effective use of digital technologies will play a pivotal role. A big thank you to everyone who engaged with our presentation and provided thoughtful feedback! #PublicHealth #DigitalCompetencies #WorkforceDevelopment #HealthEquity #BCCDCResearchWeek

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Discover the vital role of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in shaping Canada's healthcare decisions! 📊✨ Join us as we explore HTA's impact on funding, policy-making, and patient care through evidence-based evaluations. Watch now to learn how HTA drives informed, quality-focused healthcare. 🌍🏥 For more insights, read the full research paper and contact us to involve patients in HTA development here: Lopes, E., Street, J., Carter, D., Merlin, T., & Stafinski, T. (2020). Understanding Canadian Health Technology Assessment through a systems lens #HealthTechnologyAssessment #HTA #HealthcareFunding #EvidenceBased #TransparentMethods #HealthcareCanada #HTAExperts #HealthInnovation #HealthcareImprovement #ContactUs #HealthcareSupport #HealthTech #MedicalResearch #ContinuousImprovement #HTAServices #Canada

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Understand the Role of AI in Delivering Better Care Dive into our newest white paper, The Role & Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Canadian Healthcare, and discover how AI can elevate patient outcomes, optimize operations, and ease the burden on clinicians. With expert opinions and strategic insights, this guide is essential for healthcare leaders aiming to successfully adopt and scale AI solutions. What You'll Find: ✔️ Key AI Applications: Explore opportunities that transform care delivery. ✔️ Implementation Strategies: Overcome common challenges with practical solutions. ✔️Expert Recommendations: Gain insights to align AI initiatives with healthcare priorities. 👉 https://hubs.li/Q02WwPJ30

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Leaders and #connections - Health care from an upstream & regulatory lens. Thanks Agnes Grudniewicz for including me as a Guest Lecturer in your MHA 6360 Health Care in Canada course. A Vision to Transform Canada's Public Health System, by the Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada, provided the framework for an amazing discourse on the upstream (salutogenesis/wellbeing) and downstream (pathogenesis) attributes for building a better system. We also discussed the role Health Canada | Santé Canada plays. I shared the organization structure, our senior officials, and clarified key concepts such as the difference between equity and equality, what it means to take a population health approach, and the importance of collaborative governance in horizontal policies. What stood out for me was the level of engagement from our future leaders. All the comments and questions were thoughtful, we all had a better understanding and appreciation of the difference between programs and projects/policies, and I left knowing that this course is going to have the same profound and positive impact that it had on me when I had the opportunity to take it not so long ago. #buildbackbetter #futureleaders #healthcarematters

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Recent article from Institute scientists provides an in-depth, population-based analysis of characteristics and healthcare utilization patterns of Canadians with participation and activity limitations (2001-2010) Read more here:  https://lnkd.in/gMEDWx7y

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Waldo B., Terece Brown, MHI and Arun Bala present Infoway’s Digital Health Equity Analysis, shedding light about access disparities in digital health across demographics. Addressing these gaps is essential to building an inclusive, accessible healthcare system for all Canadians. You can visit our Insights website to view our Digital Health Equity Dashboard to learn more. #ThinkDigitalHealth

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ROMA Chair Robin Jones addressed Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) Conference, sharing insights from Fill the Gaps Closer to Home, our comprehensive report on the lack of access to health services in rural Ontario and strategies to tackle challenges. Said Jones: "While health care is a provincial priority, it is one that is increasingly falling to municipalities to manage. .... Ontario municipalities foot a significant part of the bill - nearly $481 million in 2022." The ROMA report makes 22 recommendations. Some are long-term and systemic, and others deal with the immediate need to deploy healthcare differently and expand scope of practice for providers like #paramedics and nurse practitioners. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dQ8ExRG6 #OSUM2024

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On September 23, CFNU launched its latest research report, ‘Opening the black box: Unpacking the use of nursing agencies in Canada.’   In it, the report revealed a ‘black box’ where public money is being poured into for-profit nursing agencies with very little oversight or reporting of how funds are being used. Based on the available data, over $1.5 billion public health dollars are projected to be paid out to agencies in the 2023-24 fiscal year.   According to our analysis of the report, there are a few things to note.   First, of the approximately 600 nurses working for agencies surveyed for this report, roughly 22.7% of respondents were from Manitoba (second only to Ontario at 32.8%).   Second, Manitoba has reported the second-highest number of different agencies being used, after only Quebec, which has recently passed legislation to eliminate agency usage by 2026.    And lastly, the report projected for the 2023/24 fiscal year, that Manitoba would spend about $60 million on agencies. In fact, the actual total was $77.5 million.   Imagine what $77.5 million could do to reinvigorate the public healthcare system that is so desperately in need of repair.

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#𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜'𝐬 #𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 📝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜'𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 🏥. #𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 🌎 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 $𝟐𝟎𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐮𝐛é 🇨🇦 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 🩺 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝟕𝟎% 📈 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 👶. What do you think? #Quebec #HealthCare #Doctors #PublicHealth #PrivateSector #HealthPolicy #MedicalProfessionals #DoctorShortage #HealthcareReform #QuebecPolitics

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A critical gap in mental health and substance use treatment is the lack of a digital pathway that links people across supportive agencies. To bridge this gap, the MH+A Alliance, with funding from Ontario Health, has engaged Calian Health to connect and integrate various EMR (electronic medical record) systems. As Rashaad Vahed, ICD.D, executive director of Canadian Mental Health Association - Halton Region Branch and a member of the MH+A Alliance, explains in this article, this digital pathway will finally create a comprehensive view of a client's journey and create a more cohesive timeline of care. ------------------------------------------------------------------ 👋 We’re the Mental Health + Addictions Alliance. We help build better pathways to support those navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Six #communityhealth agencies make up the MH+A Alliance: Canadian Mental Health Association - Halton Region Branch, Support House, ADAPT - Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment, Prevention and Treatment Hope Place Centres Summit Housing & Outreach Programs Stride #communityhealth #mentalhealth #substanceuse #ontariohealth #haltonhealth

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"Technology and data are essential for improving care in long-term care homes. National strategies must prioritize innovation, data sharing, and better integration of LTC into the broader health system,” says Jodi, CEO of CALTC. Today, The Health Workforce Canada Connects symposium highlighted the pressing need for investment in technology, workforce support, and infrastructure in long-term care. It's time for decisive action to strengthen the health workforce and ensure long-term care homes can meet the demands of the future. #HealthWorkforceConnects

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Canada’s support for global health equity aligns with Unitaid’s integrated healthcare approach, which avoids isolated, vertical models to improve diagnostics and treatment access based on diverse regional needs. Results Canada, Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada

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We spoke with MP Peter Fonseca, Chair of the Finance Committee, about the vital need for dedicated funding for lupus research. As an under-recognized and under-funded disease, lupus research isn’t prioritized enough. Thank you, MP Peter Fonseca, for your support in improving the lives of Canadians living with lupus. #AdvocateForChange #LupusAwareness #SupportLupusResearch #HealthcareReform #LupusCanadaAdvocacy #LetsTalkLupus

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💡 "If the Quebec Public Healthcare System Is So Important, Why Is It Also Broken?" As Quebec contemplates reducing its reliance on the private sector, a critical question arises: Why not address the fundamental issues within the public health system first? Health Minister Christian Dubé’s recent commitment (https://lnkd.in/eTVR6skk) to shift the healthcare system away from private dependency highlights a larger issue. If we want to rely on the public system, it must be one that Canadians can trust and that serves their needs efficiently and equitably. But currently, the system is strained, with patients facing long wait times, limited access to specialists, and an overworked medical workforce. 🛠️ Fix First, Then Build for the Future: A transition away from private sector dependency should start by addressing the underlying gaps in the public sector. Improving infrastructure, optimizing processes, and supporting healthcare workers with adequate resources and staffing are steps that must come first. Only by strengthening what’s already in place can we ensure a sustainable, effective, and accessible public health system. 🔄 Transition with a Purpose: While weaning off the private sector may be the ultimate goal, making the public system functional and resilient should be the priority. A solid foundation allows for meaningful changes that won’t leave patients or healthcare workers at a disadvantage. What are your thoughts? Should Quebec focus on fixing the public system first before moving away from private reliance? #HealthcareReform #Quebec #PublicHealth #HealthcarePolicy #SustainableChange #Canada #QuebecHealthPulse #Healthcare

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📢 APPLY NOW: Transforming Health and Care Systems: Better Care Closer to Home The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is thrilled to announce its collaboration with the European Partnership on Transforming Health and Care Systems (THCS) on the funding opportunity “Better Care Closer to Home: Enhancing Primary and Community Care”. The goal: Advance sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and people-centered health and care systems through innovative projects that strengthen primary and community care systems and provide policy and decision makers with the necessary knowledge and tools to govern the transitions needed in the primary and community care sector. Key Details: ✅ Total investment: $1.5M ✅ Grant: $100,000/year for 3 years ✅ Canadian projects must focus on the health and care of older persons and/or their caregivers and engage representatives with lived experience 💡 Proposals should focus on one of two topics: 1) Strengthening primary and community health and care systems through organizational innovations, operational improvements, and human resources innovations. 2) Systemic approaches to modernizing the primary and community care sector: leveraging evidence-based knowledge to support policy development and strategic planning for the modernization of the primary and community care sector. 📅 Timelines: Pre-proposals due: Jan 30, 2025 Full proposals due: June 19, 2025 Information webinar: 14:00-16:00 CET, December 17, 2024 This initiative is supported by CIHR’s Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR), Institute of Aging (IA), and Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR). Learn more here: 🔗

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The Public Health Agency of Canada | Agence de la santé publique du Canada is seeking self-employed Canadians touched by cancer to take part in a survey to assess cancer’s impact on financial, business, and professional well-being. This survey builds on the descriptive study conducted by Cancer and Work, which gathered insights from 23 self-employed Canadians about the impact of cancer on their personal lives, work, and businesses. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]. ➡️ Complete the survey: https://ow.ly/iHIH50RRMNO

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