Summary
Canada’s healthcare system operates through 14 independent health plans—with no single national digital health strategy. Yet, that very fragmentation may be what’s driving some of the most innovative thinking in healthcare data and digital transformation.
In this episode of Analyzing Healthcare, host Jason Schifman sits down with Anne Forsyth, Director of Clinical Applications at Women’s College Hospital and former Manager of Data Standards at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Together, they explore how Canada’s decentralized model shapes digital health strategy, the critical role of CIHI in national data collection, and the growing movement toward interoperability and standardization.
Forsyth also shares case studies from her work at Women’s College Hospital, including how workflow redesign and patient engagement tools are reducing no-show rates and improving data quality. She closes by emphasizing the need for digital literacy and collaboration across government, providers, and technology partners to achieve better healthcare outcomes.
What You’ll Learn
✅ Why Canada operates 14 separate healthcare systems—and how that impacts digital innovation
✅ How CIHI collects and analyzes healthcare data to inform national policy decisions
✅ Why real-time data and interoperability are the next frontiers for Canadian healthcare
✅ How Women’s College Hospital is driving digital transformation in ambulatory care
✅ Why data literacy and standardization are essential to improving care delivery
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Timestamps
Key Takeaways
Resource Links
Guest: Anne Forsyth –linkedin.com/in/akankshaforsyth
Host: Jason Schifman – linkedin.com/in/jasonschifman
Organization: www.scale-healthcare.com
Podcast Hub: Analyzing Healthcare by SCALE Community
Guest Bio
Anne Forsyth serves as Director of Clinical Applications at Women’s College Hospital, leading digital transformation and data standardization initiatives. Previously, she spent nearly a decade at the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), where she helped define data standards across Canada’s healthcare system. Her work bridges government, providers, and technology to create a more connected and data-driven future for Canadian healthcare.
SEO Keywords
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