Health Care : Current Reviews

NAVIGATING PATHWAYS FOR HEALTH INNOVATION IMPLEMENTATION IN THE ONTARIO HEALTH CARE SYSTEM: EMERGING FINDINGS

13^th World Congress on Healthcare & Technologies

June 14-15, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland

Ahlexxi Jelen, Robby Spring, Joseph Ferenbok, James Rutka, Stacey Ivanchuck and Garth Smithd

University of Toronto, Canada
Hospital for Sick Children, Canada
MaRS Innovation, Canada
Ontario Brain Institute, Canada

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Care Current Reviews

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Canada is a leader in health innovation. In Toronto, Ontario alone, we generate over $840 million in research revenue with 800+ home grown companies and start-ups. Yet, many seemingly great innovations fail to penetrate the Ontario health care system and the system fails to adopt these innovations. Current pathways to implementation in Ontario are complex and there is no widely accepted, consistent approach. Health innovators must navigate complex pathways with little knowledge or guidance from the system or stakeholders. To address this gap in support, we are developing a navigation tool to help guide health innovators through implementation pathways that will facilitate more accurate decision-making and their deeper understanding of the implementation process. This tool is the first of its kind to be developed in Canada. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: To develop this tool, a co-design approach was taken to leverage the creativity and collaboration of experts in health care, industry, government and academia. For scientific rigor, a translational research framework was used to facilitate knowledge generation and translation activities. Findings: The preliminary prototype has garnered interest among the Toronto health community and members in government. Further iterations of the tool are underway. Conclusion & Significance: This research directly impacts an under-served area of support for health innovators by providing them with a useful tool to support implementation activities. This tool has the ability to change how health innovators understand and navigate the health innovation implementation space in Ontario, and ultimately improve patient outcome.