Canada's Digital Health Workforce: The Role of Innovation, Research and Policy

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Health Information Management

Background:

• The digital health sector is rapidly expanding, increasing the need for skilled health informatics (HI) and health information management (HIM) professionals.
• Educational programs and graduate numbers in HI and HIM are increasing in response to this demand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine the role of research in developing a digital health innovation culture in Canada.
• To discuss the relationship between research, innovation, and an innovation culture within Canadian health informatics, health information management, and digital health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and discussion of existing issues.
• Analysis of the current state of research and innovation in Canadian digital health.

Main Results:

• The growth in HI/HIM education signifies increased demand but highlights a gap in research's role in innovation.
• Developing an innovation culture requires a deeper examination of research's contribution.

Conclusions:

• Recommendations for improving funding, granting, and policy are needed to facilitate research and innovation in Canadian digital health.
• Strengthening the link between research and innovation is essential for advancing digital health, health informatics, and health information management in Canada.