The Evolution of Digital Health in Ontario
Digital health maturity varies significantly across countries and organizations, with Ontario’s landscape presenting unique challenges and opportunities. On February 26, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the Digital Health Canada ON25 Conference, where I engaged with key stakeholders in the Ontario digital health sector. The event provided deep insights into the current state of digital health, the technological advancements underway, and the challenges vendors and healthcare organizations face in deploying innovative solutions.
As Digital Health Canada celebrates its 50th anniversary, let’s explore the key takeaways from the conference and their implications for the future of digital health in Ontario.
Current State of Digital Health in Ontario
Ontario’s healthcare system grapples with varying levels of connectedness, equity, quality, and efficiency across different regions. While progress has been made in enhancing interoperability and care coordination, equity remains a major hurdle in realizing digital health’s full potential. Healthcare providers and community organizations are investing in technology to improve digital maturity, but most solutions remain concentrated in acute care settings, leaving a technology gap in primary care–the gateway to care accessibility and coordination.
Additionally, while AI-driven models are being explored, the slow procurement process often leads to technology becoming outdated before implementation, prompting organizations to seek more advanced solutions.
Key Challenges Hindering Digital Health Advancements
- Technology Divide – The North-South digital divide in Ontario is a major barrier to digital health adoption. Many northern and remote areas lack reliable internet and cellular infrastructure, making digital health initiatives secondary to traditional healthcare investments. Moreover, digital literacy gaps further hinder adoption, reinforcing dependence on conventional care delivery models.
- Lengthy Procurement Processes – The slow procurement cycle poses a significant roadblock to digital transformation. While cost-efficiency is the goal, by the time an RFP (request for proposal) is completed, the technology and project requirements often become obsolete. Additionally, organizational shifts and leadership changes frequently result in project delays or cancellations.
- Technology Lethargy – While US healthcare systems are advancing workflow automation through Agentic AI and Generative AI, Ontario’s healthcare organizations are still focused on transitioning from fax to electronic communication and adopting ambient conversational AI technology.
- Limited Interoperability – Although data management practices are improving, Ontario’s healthcare system still struggles with efficient health information exchange. With Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) leading care coordination, stronger interoperability frameworks are crucial to achieving seamless data sharing.
- Siloed Processes – Many healthcare organizations and governing bodies work in isolation, lacking a standardized framework for sharing best practices, research, and technological advancements. This hinders digital health progress and slows down overall technological maturity.
Opportunities Driving Growth in Digital Health
Near-Term Opportunities (1 Year)
- Ambient AI for Healthcare Workflows – Ambient AI is evolving beyond medical scribing, with vendors like Suki, Heidi, Muto, and Pippen AI expanding their solutions to support broader workflow automation. Solutions from Suki, for instance, aim to provide separate AI-driven products for clinicians and nurses, ensuring a comprehensive and adaptable platform approach.
➡️ [Explore our analysis on the Conversational AI marketplace here].
Amol Verma, Clinician-Scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, Assistant Professor at University of Toronto, Provincial Clinical Lead at Ontario Health during his Keynote Address – Why AI Will Replace Doctors and What That Means for Digital Health Innovation Today
- Advanced Workflow & Connectivity Solutions – Acute care facilities require streamlined administrative, financial, and operational workflows. Companies like LGI Healthcare Solutions offer integrated platforms that address multiple pain points, easing workload burdens on hospital staff.
➡️ [Learn how hospitals are leveraging technology to reduce staff workload here].
Mid-Term Opportunities (2-3 Years)
- Centralized Data Cloud Initiative – Inspired by the European Health Data Space, Ontario can establish a provincial-level data cloud to drive interoperability and data-sharing efficiencies. Cloud service providers such as Salesforce, Microsoft, Google, and AWS will play a key role in supporting this initiative.
➡️ [View our analysis on the State of Healthcare Cloud here].
- Revamping Ontario’s Primary Care System – Ontario’s fragmented primary care system needs structured data management and technology adoption. OHTs will play a pivotal role in modernizing primary care with support from organizations like OntarioMD, which are focused on improving digital health adoption.
➡️ [Discover how population health software enhances primary care organizations here].
Mohamed Alarakhia, Chief Executive Officer, eHealth Centre of Excellence during his session on Driving Innovation in Ontario’s Health System: Updates from Key Health Delivery Partners
- Procurement Process Modernization – To accelerate digital transformation, healthcare stakeholders must rethink the long procurement cycles and adopt flexible governance models. Shortened procurement timelines, coupled with performance-driven contracts, can significantly improve technology access and adoption.
What Lies Ahead for Digital Health in Ontario
The Digital Health Canada ON25 Conference provided a strategic outlook on Ontario’s digital health trajectory. As the healthcare ecosystem strives to enhance digital maturity, key pillars like sustainability, equity, quality, and efficiency will drive innovation. For healthcare IT vendors, providers, and government organizations, collaboration is essential in accelerating technology adoption and shaping the future of healthcare.
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Written By
Nitin Manocha
Growth Expert & Senior Industry Analyst
Digital Health, Frost & Sullivan
