Mr. Chris Gerritsen reports

TELUS TO INVEST $1.3 MILLION IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

Telus Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Alberta's faculty of rehabilitation medicine to provide financing support for the newly created consumer health technology innovation living laboratory community program.

"I am pleased to announce today that we are providing $1.3-million over the next three years to carry out research with the University of Alberta on the application of emerging technologies to improve patient care within the community," said Darren Entwistle, president and chief executive officer, Telus. "Alberta is at the forefront of health care transformation and we are continuing to build on that momentum by working with the University of Alberta to establish this national centre of excellence for consumer health technology, which will further showcase Alberta's leadership in health care innovation."

Dr. Martin Ferguson-Pell, dean of the faculty of rehabilitation medicine and chair of the Health Sciences Council, said: "This is an important collaboration between the University of Alberta and Telus. Our partnership will significantly advance the development and adoption of new technologies in the community so people, particularly seniors, can remain independent and healthy. The faculty of rehabilitation medicine has long been involved in developing new adaptive and assistive technologies, and this partnership is the logical next step we need to help improve the quality of life of Albertans."

The consumer health technology innovation living laboratory community will explore opportunities for the application of emerging technologies toward patient care within the community.

Some initial studies will include:

• Extending the use of personal health records to patients and their families living with chronic conditions related to diabetes, heart failure, lung disease and mental health;
• Integrating remote patient monitoring devices such as glucometers, weight scales and blood pressure monitors to capture accurate health data directly from patients;
• Supporting physicians and other members of the health care team by integrating care plans and health data in electronic medical records, and making them accessible on tablets and smart phones.

One of the first projects under this new Telus and University of Alberta partnership is the extension of the current Sherwood Park Primary Care Network project, in collaboration with the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. This initiative will establish a provider portal with secured messaging and remote patient monitoring services to improve chronic disease management programs.

About the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta has an international profile of excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences. As the province's flagship university founded more than a century ago, the University of Alberta brings the benefits of being a globally engaged institution to Alberta's citizenry. As an institutional global citizen, the University of Alberta provides and promotes learning, discovery and creative activity that engage the issues, questions and concerns that matter to communities locally and internationally.