Now more than ever, the Quebec City region is asserting itself as a major hub in the province's life sciences sector as it gets set to host the second annual Healthcare Innovation Week, which will be held from Dec. 1-3 at Quebec City's convention centre (Centre des congrès). This will be a prime opportunity for proponents of innovation to address Quebecers' health needs. Several hundred key healthcare stakeholders are expected to attend, including industrialists, researchers, managers and decision-makers, all focused on the performance of our rapidly changing healthcare system.
"Québec International is proud to have organized this annual gathering, which is well on its way to becoming a flagship event for Quebec's life sciences sector. It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for us to think outside the box. Our concerted efforts will give fresh impetus to a number of major projects and new processes that will prove beneficial to patients and to Quebec's healthcare system," said Carl Viel, president and CEO of Québec International.
Healthcare Innovation Week consists of three action-packed days with a program of events centred around two major forums organized by Québec International and the Quebec City Healthcare Alliance (ASQ) respectively, as well as three additional events hosted by Norton Rose Fulbright, BioQuebec, the Optics/Photonics Industry Circle (CIOP) and the Quebec Consortium for Industrial Research and Innovation in Medical Technology (MEDTEQ).
To mark the kick-off to Healthcare Innovation Week on December 1, Québec International and the ASQ are hosting an opening night reception paying tribute to Pierre Lavoie, whose far-reaching social initiatives are fully in keeping with the spirit of mobilization and action in the scientific community. This will be a unique opportunity to hear the story of the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, its many achievements and its scientific partnership with the Quebec City University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology (IUCPQ) and Laval University.
Eighth annual Quebec City Healthcare Industry Forum
Next up is the eighth annual Quebec City Healthcare Industry Forum (FISQ), which is slated for December 2. Spearheaded by Québec International, this event will take up the central theme of "From innovation to integration in the healthcare system: adopting a patient-oriented perspective".
How can technology be better integrated within the healthcare system? Will technology provide a lifeline for a system approaching its breaking point? These questions will provide a framework for the issues raised by the roster of guest speakers, including new patient-oriented research models, healthcare system performance improvements through increased patient involvement via IT and new partnership models for product development and payback.
Scheduled to speak are some 15 specialists representing various companies and organizations, including BMS, CIRANO, CROP, Montreal-based Angus Medical Clinic, the Quebec Research Fund (FRQ), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Quebec Healthcare and Social Services Institute (INESSSQ), Merck Canada, Rx&D, Telus Healthcare, Uniprix and the Patient-Oriented Research Support Unit (USRAP).
ASQ's Science Day
On December 3, Science Day, organized by the Quebec City Healthcare Alliance (ASQ), will cap off the week with a topic aimed at increasing healthcare efficiency. The ASQ is planning a major sustainable healthcare research project. Science Day will give researchers, healthcare establishments, public and private partners and invited representatives of patients and the general public an opportunity to discuss the benefits of this project for the Quebec City region.
Three additional events
Please note that on December 1, workshops on related issues will be held in conjunction with Healthcare Innovation Week:
- A seminar on life sciences law and pharmaceutical law presented by Norton Rose Fulbright.
- An activity aimed at developing new healthcare technologies organized by the Optics/Photonics Industry Circle (CIOP) and MEDTEQ.
- A panel discussion addressing the role of biotechnology and the life sciences hosted by BioQuebec.
"At Québec International, we believe that it is essential to organize activities such as these in order to fast track the identification of key issues relating to the integration of new healthcare technologies. Ultimately, these new technologies will allow us to devise concrete solutions that stand to benefit all of Quebec society," said Carl Viel.
Registration is underway
Healthcare Innovation Week 2014 and its various activities are geared towards healthcare managers, professionals, scientists, industry workers and government representatives. Complete information is available online at the following address (www.quebecinternational.ca/innovation-healthcare).
