Key takeaways from the 21st TELUS Health Annual Conference.
At TELUS Health’s 21st Annual Conference, leaders across government, healthcare, technology, and insurance came together to answer a defining question:
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“How do we build a connected care system that works for all Canadians?”
From a growing administrative burden, to rising workforce shortages and patient expectations, one thing became clear: transformation across the Canadian healthcare landscape is no longer optional.
Here are the key insights from the conference, which offer healthcare leaders a clearer view of the path forward.
TAKEAWAY 1
The future of Canadian healthcare is collaborative, digital, and urgently needed
Connected care in Canada demands shared infrastructure, integrated care teams and smart digital platforms.
To move from fragmentation to coordination, healthcare leaders must:
- Invest in interoperable data platforms: This enables secure, real-time information exchange across care settings to support better clinical decisions and seamless patient experiences.
- Design integrated care models: Aligning physicians, pharmacists, nurses, mental health professionals, and insurers streamlines care delivery, reduces clinician burden and improves patient outcomes.
- Deliver on patient-centered data access: Unified platforms make electronic health records (EHRs) accessible, contextual and actionable for both providers and patients across the care journey.
TAKEAWAY 2
AI and the “digital front door” are driving real clinical value, not just efficiency
AI scribes, smart search and “digital front door” platforms are already delivering real clinical value by reducing admin time and improving access.
To scale responsibly, healthcare leaders must:
- Empower clinical AI champions to drive AI adoption: This will reduce the administrative burden and support workload management.
- Develop health-grade AI search tools: These tools need to deliver the right insights, at the right time, and in the right context for the patient.
- Invest in “digital front door” solutions: This gives patients seamless and secure access to their electronic health records and offers a direct line to healthcare practitioners.
TAKEAWAY 3
Empowering pharmacists to drive access and innovation is key for connected care
Canada ranks 4th in the world for pharmacists per capita and this clinical availability presents a powerful opportunity to expand access to care, especially in underserved areas.
To scale accessibility of care, healthcare leaders must:
- Commit to interoperable pharmacy management systems: This enables pharmacists to share data and coordinate with providers across the care continuum.
- Support pharmacists with automation and workflow tools: This will reduce administrative burden so pharmacists can focus on clinical services like immunizations and chronic care.
- Support pharmacy leaders in this expanded scope of care: Equipping pharmacists with training in digital tools, business strategy and systems thinking will empower them to lead in evolving care models.
TAKEAWAY 4
Balancing public and private drug access is critical to healthcare equity
For connected care to truly succeed in Canada, public and private systems must work in tandem and make drug coverage truly integrated into the broader care journey.
To advance equity and connected care, healthcare leaders must:
- Strengthen collaboration between public and private payors: Align reimbursement models and care coordination to reduce gaps in coverage.
- Implement smarter utilization controls: Use tools like prior authorizations, biosimilar switching and tiered pricing to ensure appropriate, cost-effective access to specialty drugs.
- Build integrated drug access strategies: Engage employers, insurers, clinicians, and policymakers to create sustainable, patient-centered benefit models that adapt to innovation.
TAKEAWAY 5
Nova Scotia’s approach to data interoperability is a model example for all of Canada
Nova Scotia has set a national precedent by aligning legislation, technology and public purpose to create Canada’s first large-scale primary care interoperability initiative.
To replicate the success of this initiative, healthcare leaders across the rest of the country must:
- Legislate for interoperability: Adopt policies that mandate real-time data sharing between regulated providers and citizens to improve both care continuity, as well as care access.
- Build citizen-centered platforms: Ensure that patients can easily access, understand and act on their health data regardless of where they are in their care journey.
- Treat interoperability as operational, not optional: Opening up data access into everyday care delivery will enhance patient engagement and enable system-wide change.
A new chapter for Canadian healthcare
The 21st TELUS Health Annual Conference showcased that Canada’s healthcare system is ready for reinvention — but action must follow ambition.
To move from vision to reality and provide all Canadians with connected and accessible care, the path is clear: connect data, center care around the patient, and lead with purpose.
To discover more resources and exclusive content from the conference, visit our 2025 Annual Conference Hub.
1. TheGlobalEconomy.com, “Pharmacists per 1,000 People - Country Rankings,” accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankings/pharmacists_per_1000_people/.