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GOOGLE GENERATION SETS TONE FOR CANADIAN HEALTHCARE

By BECKY RAMPHAL

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) commissioned Lpsos to conduct a survey in May to reveal Canadian’s perceptions on the current direction of the Canadian healthcare system and their level of acceptance to technology being integrated more rapidly into their healthcare. Its findings suggest a more technological-based approach should be implemented to reduce the generation gap with patients’ wants and needs.

On average, the report shows those within the Google Generation (people between the age of 18 and 34) are visiting doctor’s offices more frequently – up to 11 times per year – and are more eager to embrace new technology to assist in monitoring their personal health.

Utilizing wearable monitoring systems such as Fitbits and other smartwatches, as well as phone apps to track heart rate, blood pressure, diet and sleep habits have created a more informed patient pool. CMA urges the implementation of new policies, and encourages the system to embrace technological enhancements quickly due to the large impact this generation is having on present and future healthcare.

CMA President, Laurent Marcoux, Ph.D., said “Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual monitoring provide an opportunity to address the health needs of the Google Generation as they embrace technology in all facets of their lives.

“The way this generation manages and tracks their health is much different than any other demographic group,” Marcoux said. “To ensure we are ready to tackle this new wave of tech savvy patients; we need to have the right policies as well as action plans to [futurize] our healthcare ecosystem.”

Implementing virtual doctor visits, and the use of AI are tactics the Google Generation believes could help lead to more timely care, convenience and overall quality of care. However, 6 in 10 Canadians are excited about the incorporation of this new technology, but would only trust a diagnosis if delivered by a physician.

There are issues with privacy and ethics that 7 out of 10 Canadians believe haven’t been fully thought out in regards to AI usage in healthcare, and 67 percent are worried about losing the human touch factor.

Nevertheless, the implementation of technology within the Canadian healthcare system is necessary in order to match the demand of the evolving generations.

“We need to look at this information as a warning sign,” Marcoux said. “Every generation presents a new challenge to our healthcare system, but with the Google Generation, healthcare is about convenience and timeliness, and the current system does not provide for that.”

 

TECH JOB MARKET BOOMING IN TORONTO

By BECKY RAMPHAL

With more than 28,900 technology-related jobs created in 2017 alone, Toronto has been crowned North America’s biggest job market within the tech world surpassing hot-spots such as San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C.

From a report released July 25, 2018 by the CBRE Group, a Los Angeles-based real estate company, over the past five years the Toronto tech industry has seen 82,100 jobs established and an increase to the ratio of positions available to tech degrees’ earned as well.

Toronto’s ranking for technology-related prospects within the market increased from sixth to fourth, according to CTV News. The rise in competition and talent in Toronto could be a result of its affordable cost of living, current real estate market trends for commercial space or the level of education available locally within the field.

Paul Morassutti, Executive Managing Director at CBRE Canada, said in the report’s accompanying press release, Canada’s tech markets are booming, especially downtown when it comes to office space rentals. There is a 36 percent demand currently sitting on office space for tech-related businesses.

“High-quality and well-educated tech talent, cost-efficiencies and welcoming immigration policies are competitive advantages for the Canadian tech markets,” Morassutti said. “Companies looking to house operations are putting serious thought to locating in Canada.

Compared to cities such as New York, Washington D.C., Newark and Los Angeles, Toronto is among the best value for quality options for tech firms thanks to less expensive access to labour and real estate, but also high educational attainment levels.”

He said Canada provides high-quality labour for a fraction of the cost in comparison to other major tech-cities.

The University of Toronto, U of T, in a recent press release, attributed a portion of the growth in the downtown tech market to emerging fields such as regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence, and to Canada’s welcoming immigration policies.

Noticing the shift to a more inclusive market, foreign tech firms are expanding into the city by opening research labs and other operations downtown, U of T reported.

Toronto is becoming the place to be within the tech world.