The DMF Systems team has just returned from e-Health26 in Halifax, Canada, where healthcare leaders from across North America gathered to share what’s working, what’s proving difficult, and where digital patient care is heading next.
While there was plenty of discussion around emerging technologies, one theme stood above the rest: the need for better connected healthcare.
Across hospitals, provinces and care settings, the focus has shifted from talking about digital transformation to making it work in practice. That means connecting disparate systems, improving access to information, and delivering technology that genuinely supports clinicians and patients.
Here are the themes that stood out to us at e-Health26.
Interoperability Is Still the Biggest Challenge
It didn’t matter whether the conversation was about diagnostics, acute care, primary care or virtual care. Interoperability came up time and again.
While the majority of hospitals in Canada have an EHR, it is widely accepted that EHRs are a great starting point but they do not solve everything – As such, many gaps exist. Hospitals require additional systems for various reasons, whether there is a better option for a particular requirement than what is provided by the EHR vendor or in some cases the EHR does not provide a particular solution. As a result, interoperability and integration is critical to ensure information flows seamlessly between numerous solutions so that providers have access to the information they need to provide better and safer patient care.
In addition, healthcare organisations don’t want to replace every system they already have. They want them to work together, allowing information to move securely between departments, organisations and care settings.
This reinforced that good integration isn’t just a technical issue, it’s what allows clinicians to access the right information at the right time.
AI Is Starting to Deliver Real Value
AI was impossible to ignore at e-Health26, but the conversation has moved well beyond the hype. The focus is now on practical tools that can make a real difference to clinicians and patients.
One of the clearest examples was the growing use of AI scribes. Healthcare organisations across Canada are adopting ambient documentation solutions to reduce the time clinicians spend on note-taking and administrative tasks, helping to ease workload pressures and reduce burnout.
At the same time, there was a clear understanding that AI is only as good as the information it has access to. Accurate, connected and accessible data remains the foundation for any successful AI initiative.
It’s another reminder that while AI is creating exciting opportunities, interoperability and high-quality data are what make those opportunities possible.
Designing Technology Around People
One message came through consistently at e-Health26: technology should make life easier for care providers and patients alike, not more complicated.
Successful digital health projects are no longer measured simply by whether they meet technical requirements. Increasingly, success is defined by whether clinicians actually use the technology, whether it fits naturally into existing workflows, and whether it helps patients access care more easily.
Many e-Health26 speakers were focused on reducing administrative burden, improving clinical workflows and giving staff quicker access to the information they need. There was also a strong emphasis on designing systems that are intuitive, minimise duplication and reduce the number of clicks required to complete everyday tasks.
User experience is becoming a key part of delivering better patient care and ensuring digital transformation projects achieve lasting success.
Supporting Care Beyond the Hospital
Healthcare delivery continues to evolve, with more care taking place in the community and at home.
That creates new demands for sharing information across organisations. Hospitals, community services and primary care providers all need access to the same up-to-date patient information if care is to remain coordinated.
This provides a challenge when disparate systems are used across different care settings. Streamlined integration and succinct information transfer is crucial for the delivery of optimal coordinated care.
Collaboration Is Driving Progress
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from e-Health26 was the willingness across the sector to work together.
Healthcare organisations are sharing lessons learned, building on common standards and recognising that improving patient care depends on strong partnerships between clinicians, health services and technology providers.
Events like e-Health26 are a valuable reminder that while every organisation faces different challenges, many are working towards the same goal: delivering safer, more connected care through practical, well-implemented digital solutions.
