McMaster researchers to develop virtual-care software platform with JRI $1.9 million award

Researchers recently received a $1.9 million grant from the Juravinski Research Institute (JRI) to develop a virtual-care software platform. The platform will help transform support for patients when they leave the hospital by bridging the gap. 

The technology will seamlessly integrate with various patient remote-monitoring devices. Whether it’s vital signs equipment, tablets, or smartphones, it will harmonize data collection and accessibility. It will be designed to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) tools, enabling advanced analytics and personalized interventions. 

Patients can sometimes face inadequate support during the critical transition from hospital or clinic care to their homes. This vulnerable period can lead to complications, emergency visits, and readmissions.  

Recognizing the need for improved support, Michael McGillion, associate professor and assistant dean, research, in McMaster University’s School of Nursing, scientist at the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), and director of the Improving Perioperative and canceR Outcomes Through Excellence and appliCation of Virtual Technologies (PROTECT) lab at Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski Cancer Centre is the lead investigator of the research. 

“We are grateful to the JRI for this important opportunity to advance electronic infrastructure for virtual care and patient remote automated monitoring research in Hamilton. This work will serve as an accelerator, allowing for more seamless integration with legacy hospital information systems and curation of large, complex datasets needed to develop machine learning models for the prediction and optimization of patient outcomes”, says McGillion. 

By establishing stronger connections between hospitals and patients’ homes, the virtual-care software platform will address several critical issues.  

The platform will empower healthcare teams to stay connected with patients, providing guidance and support during the patient’s recovery journey. It will also reduce hospital readmissions with real-time monitoring and proactive interventions, meaning patients can avoid unnecessary hospital visits, reducing the burden on healthcare facilities. Lastly, it will gather data-driven insights, accelerating research and informing evidence-based practices. 

Along with McGillion, other co-lead investigators include Mark Levine, professor emeritus in the Department of Oncology at McMaster University and co-director of PROTECT at Hamilton Health Sciences; Jeremy Petch, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University and director of the CentRE for dAta science and digital hEalth (CREATE) at Hamilton Health Sciences; Natya Raghavan, associate professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University, head of service of Respiratory Rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and site lead for respirology at Hamilton Health Sciences’ Hamilton General Hospital; Rahima Nenshi, associate professor in the Department of Surgery at McMaster and general surgery at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and PJ Devereaux, director of the division of perioperative care, McMaster University, associate deputy director of PHRI and co-director of PROTECT. 

“The current approach to delivering virtual care with remote access monitoring interventions faces challenges that slow down our research and progress. We currently rely on proprietary applications and vendor-controlled databases. Our research program aims to address these challenges by establishing our own infrastructure. What we will build will truly be unique and great for our local community,” says Levine. 

The team will collaborate closely to co-design the platform. The research will involve patients with various conditions, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, seniors, and surgical patients. Through interviews and focus groups, they will identify needs and how users will interact with the platform. The platform’s blueprint will continue to evolve, ensuring it aligns with both clinical requirements and technological advancements. 

The virtual-care platform will redefine healthcare delivery, empower patients, and inspire innovation.  

The project, titled Health care of tomorrow, has been made possible through a generous gift from the late Margaret Juravinski. Learn more about the Juravinski Research Institute.