[Toronto, ON] On November 28, 2024, the Sheraton Toronto Centre Hotel hosted the Economic Club of Canada’s 2024 Annual Health-Care Summit, “Revolutionizing Patient-Centred Care: The Intersection of Advocacy, AI, and Breakthrough Medicine.” The summit gathered health-care leaders, innovators, executives, and advocates to discuss the urgent need for transformation in Canada’s health-care system.
A Call to Action for Health-Care Innovation
Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, opened the event with a powerful call to action. Drawing a parallel to the 1960s reforms that established Canada’s universal health-care system, he described the current moment as an equally pivotal time for health care, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and life sciences.
“This is the health-care moment of our time,” said Minister Fedeli. “The decisions we make today will define the future of care—not just in Canada, but globally.”
Another pivotal discussion revolved around the role of AI in reshaping health care. Dr. Dante Morra’s keynote drew a compelling analogy: our current health-care system is like Blockbuster Video in an era of Netflix-level technology.
“You’re behind if you don’t embrace innovation,” Dr. Morra stated. “It’s not about what AI will do to you—it’s about what AI will do for you.”
Dr. Morra underscored that embracing technology doesn’t mean replacing the human touch in health care; rather, it means equipping providers with tools to deliver better outcomes while allowing patients to receive more personalized and timely care.
Advocacy Versus Navigation: Bridging the Gap
Laurie Jenkins, Patient Advocate at Healthcare Navigators Inc., delivered a compelling talk on the distinctions between advocacy and navigation in health care. Advocacy, she explained, focuses on systemic change—addressing policies, infrastructure, and funding gaps. Navigation, on the other hand, is about helping patients maneuver through a complex and often fragmented system to access care.
Jenkins highlighted the challenges of today’s 15-minute consultations, particularly for those with chronic or complex conditions.
“It’s no wonder patients feel frustrated leaving appointments where time feels insufficient,” she said.
Frustration, while valid, can sometimes hinder progress. Patients must prepare proactively to make the most of these limited interactions.
A strategy is using a “health-care meeting agenda.” This tool empowers patients to organize their thoughts and facilitates clearer communication with providers.
Preparing Your Health-Care Agenda
Here is a suggestion for five essential tips to get started:
Confirm the Length of Your Appointment: At the beginning, clarify how long you have with your provider. This sets expectations, respects everyone’s time, and alleviates time-crunch anxiety.
List Your Top Concerns: Identify up to three main priorities and share them early in the appointment. This ensures that critical issues are addressed before delving into details.
Document Symptoms and Treatments: Be concise yet thorough. Include key details such as onset, duration, and treatments tried. If symptoms fluctuate, bring quality photos for reference.
Ask Specific Questions: Examples include, “What are the next steps if this treatment doesn’t work?” or “Could this be related to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome? Should I see a specialist?”
Confirm Follow-Ups: Clarify timelines for results and next steps. Confirm how results will be communicated and schedule follow-ups as necessary.
This simple yet effective strategy can transform the 15-minute appointment into a productive and collaborative session.
AI in Action: Tools That Are Transforming Care
AI innovations are already making a tangible difference in Canada’s health-care system. Dr. Morra highlighted the success of platforms like Virtual Hallway, which connects family doctors with specialists for rapid consultations, and Alberta’s NanoTess, which uses cutting-edge biomaterials to accelerate wound healing.
Another breakthrough is the use of ambient scribes—AI technologies that automate documentation during appointments. By freeing providers from administrative burdens, these tools enable them to focus entirely on the patient. While not yet widespread, their potential to enhance patient-provider interactions is enormous.
These tools give us hope for a future where AI supports both patients and practitioners. It gives everyone their time back, streamlines transparency, and ensures care remains patient-centred, allowing Canada to regain its reputation for world-class care.
Addressing AI Stigma
Despite its benefits, many patients and providers remain hesitant about integrating AI into care. Patients can reduce this stigma by fostering open discussions with their doctors. Asking questions such as, “Was AI used in this appointment?” promotes transparency and normalizes AI’s role as a supportive tool.
By embracing AI together, patients and providers can build trust and enhance the quality of care.
A Collective Vision for Better Care
As Canada faces systemic challenges such as long wait times, provider shortages, and inequitable access, patient voices have never been more crucial. Advocacy platforms like OurCare.ca/advocate provide resources to make health care a priority in upcoming elections and empower individuals to demand systemic transformation.
As the summit concluded, one message was clear: the future of health care depends on collaboration, innovation, and patient-centred approaches. Leaders must push boundaries and adopt the tools and strategies that promise to revolutionize how care is delivered.
A Call to Action
Health care is personal, and every patient’s story matters. From my seat at the summit, I witnessed leaders discussing solutions that could transform our system, but change won’t happen without collective effort.
We must:
Advocate for health-care reform and make it an election issue.
Embrace AI as a tool for progress, not a threat.
Empower patients with tools and strategies to navigate the system effectively.
Let’s turn the inspiration from this summit into action, just as Canada did in the 1960s when bold reforms established our universal health-care system and set a global benchmark for equitable care. Today, we face a similar crossroads. By advocating for change and embracing transformative technologies like AI, we have the opportunity to lead the next wave of health-care innovation—not just in Canada, but on a global scale. Visit OurCare.ca/advocate to learn how you can make your voice heard and join the movement to shape a future where our system once again becomes a beacon of equity, innovation, and patient-centred care worldwide.
Following the summit, I was interviewed by CP24 about key takeaways from the conference. You can watch my interview here.
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