A collaboration between Alberta Health Services and Alberta Innovates will provide funding to university researchers to explore technologies that improve patient outcomes.
Research teams from the universities of Alberta and Calgary have been awarded $9.6 million from Alberta's Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System to accelerate innovation in health care.
The investment will help researchers deploy emerging health technologies to support the delivery of innovative care models that empower patients, families and health-care teams to improve quality of care in various clinical areas.
Modernizing health care in this way has the potential to identify issues early so they can be treated promptly, thereby keeping patients healthier, reducing the risk of more serious complications and minimizing hospital visits.
"Health care needs to be efficient, effective and timely, and innovation supports those objectives. These projects illustrate the ingenuity of Alberta's research and innovation teams. With their resourcefulness we can develop a more progressive health system that offers improved care to Albertans."
Jason Copping, Minister of Health
Dr. Prism Schneider, from the University of Calgary's McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, is one of the program's eight successful applicants. She will be working to develop an electronic health solution that will alert, educate, survey, triage and communicate with patients who suffer from osteoporosis or fragility fractures.
"Some of the most exciting advances in health care come from innovators who use technology to solve problems in new ways. I'm excited to see the medical research happening across Alberta. This investment will help to further that important research and to deliver better health care for all Albertans."
Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation
Virtual and electronic solutions being explored by all eight projects will help ensure patient engagement, improve delivery and quality of care, and lead to further efficiencies in the health-care system.
"The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System is an incredibly valuable program for Alberta Innovates. We're pleased to partner with Alberta Health Services and the Strategic Clinical Networks to add innovative new programs to our health system. We congratulate all eight applicants, and we look forward to the results that flow from this partnership."
Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates
Quick facts
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A total of 27 applications for this year's Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System funding were received and eight projects were funded.
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Three are from the University of Calgary
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Five are from the University of Alberta
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Investigators will have up to two years to complete their projects.
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Application of modern technologies will support the delivery of innovative care models that empower patients, families and their health-care teams to improve quality of care. Technologies include, but are not limited to:
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virtual and augmented reality
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improvements to telehealth
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mobile-health applications
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connected devices
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sensors
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wearables
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3D printing
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computer simulation and modelling
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