The Infoway Centre for Clinical Innovation in Digital Health has launched the Connected Care Clinical Student Scholarship — a $5,000 scholarship aimed at advancing healthcare transformation in Canada.

Those interested can submit their applications by Nov. 22, 2024, and successful recipients will be notified in December.

Dr. Rashaad Bhyat, senior physician leader for Canada Health Infoway, said “the Connected Care Clinical Student Scholarship is a response to our rapidly digitalizing world. Canada Health Infoway wanted to invest in the next generation of clinical leaders in digital health and encourage students to think critically about the challenges of healthcare interoperability.”

Bhyat continued by highlighting that the “scholarship represents a promising investment in Canada’s healthcare future. By supporting students in digital health, Infoway aims to shape a generation equipped to address healthcare’s digital transformation, bringing benefits not just to the healthcare community but also to Canadian patients.”

The initiative focuses on fostering the adoption of interoperability in healthcare systems and engaging clinical leaders and learners to spearhead digital health advancements.

Students in fields like pharmacy, nursing and any clinical programs focusing on digital health are eligible. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in interoperability, digital health innovation and the skills necessary to navigate clinical health technology spaces.

Applicants with a clear vision for how they intend to apply digital health to real-world challenges, especially those with experience in community service or prior digital health projects, tend to stand out. It is about students who can think about the future of healthcare and are passionate about their role within it, said Bhyat.

Many clinicians, particularly family doctors, face substantial administrative burdens linked to digital technologies. The scholarship aims to support students who can contribute to a more efficient, integrated system. The goal is to improve the experience for both healthcare providers and patients.

Apart from financial support, one of the exciting aspects is the chance for recipients to network with other digital health innovators and potentially gain practical experience. “It’s a unique opportunity to be a part of a pioneering cohort,” said Bhyat.

He concluded by saying “as this is the inaugural year, recipients will be the first to set the standard for future applicants. We’re looking forward to seeing the impact this scholarship will have as it grows.”

For more information and to apply, visit infoway-inforoute.ca/en/digital-health-initiatives/connected-care-clinical-student-scholarship.