In a candid fireside chat at the 21st TELUS Health Annual Conference, Dr. Lyle Oberg, Executive Council of Alberta Health Services, emphasized that Canada’s healthcare system is overdue for reinvention and that the solution lies in connected care.
Hosted by Martin Bélanger, Senior Vice-President of Payor and Provider Solutions at TELUS Health, the conversation made a clear, urgent case for connected healthcare systems across the country. For this to succeed, though, it requires three key requirements: data, information, and the right incentives.
“It is immoral for us not to use the data we have for the betterment of humanity.”
Hon. Dr. Lyle Oberg, Executive Council of Alberta Health Services
Here’s Dr. Oberg’s view of how and why we need connected care in Canada now more than ever.
Use the data, or miss the opportunity
“When it comes to data, we in Canada are truly blessed," began Dr. Oberg. “We’re a single payor system and have all the information from birth to death. The time to use it is now.”.
We’re already using data like this for research, but the true value lies in utilizing longitudinal patient data to inform real-time clinical decision-making at the front lines of care. According to Dr. Oberg, “Any advance in healthcare in the next 10–15 years is going to be on the backs of data.”
From early illness tracking to precision medicine, preventative care models are only possible if data is accessible and actionable across the entire care continuum. For insurers and healthcare providers alike, this represents both a challenge and a shared responsibility. In short, it requires smarter care coordination and fewer gaps in care. As Dr. Oberg stated, however, “We still have access issues, we still have timelines and overcrowding issues, and system issues that need to be addressed.”
Delivering the right information, at the right time
Access to patient data is only the tip of the connected care iceberg. What’s most important is making sure we get the right information, in the right place, to the right provider, and at the right time in a patient’s healthcare journey. This means information must flow seamlessly between providers, payors, and patients. Dr. Oberg gave a working example:
“When we are in a car accident, I want my information in the hands of that emergency technician or doctor so they can treat me and my family in the best possible way. These are things that are not beyond the realm of possibility.”
From the ER to the family doctor’s office to the insurer’s systems, modern CHRs and integrated digital infrastructure makes this kind of connected care entirely possible. What’s needed now is alignment, investment, and a shared commitment to data responsibility.
Aligning healthcare incentives to drive systemic change
If we want meaningful, lasting change across the care continuum, we need to incentivize the behaviours that lead to better patient outcomes. For Dr. Oberg, that starts with changing how the system is funded.
Canada’s current funding model, particularly in acute care, often rewards inaction over innovation. “When you have a global budget and you’re under pressure, the easiest solution is to do less,” Dr. Oberg explained.
To create a more responsive system, Dr. Oberg recommends adopting activity-based funding. This model rewards providers for delivering more care while maintaining quality. It also helps reduce wait times and increases efficiency. Alberta, for example, has recently announced that it is instituting activity-based funding next year. “I really do believe it's a step in the right direction,” Dr. Oberg said.
In addition to activity-based funding, he also pointed to capitation models in primary care as a way to improve access and strengthen continuity. “Patients should be rostered to a clinic, not just to a physician,” he explained. Doing this allows for team-based care to flourish, and multidisciplinary teams of nurses, nurse practitioners, dietitians, and doctors can work at the top of their scope and meet patients where they are.
Building the future of connected care, together
At the heart of connected care in Canada is a return to purpose. “We want a system that provides better care. And I truly believe we can build it.”
To turn this vision into reality, it requires province-wide coordination: “If Quebec is doing something, maybe take a look at what they’re doing and emulate some of those practices,” explained Dr. Oberg. “Not everything has to be done right from the ground up.”
More importantly, it requires every healthcare provider to utilize interoperable data systems, artificial intelligence, and patient wellness data in a responsible way so that we can create a team-based, preventative, and patient-first healthcare system that’s beneficial to all Canadians.
To learn more about building a more connected, coordinated system of care in Canada, contact our sales team and start the conversation.