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Quebec’s entrepreneurs driving healthcare innovation

Martin Coulombe
Martin Coulombe
8
min read

For years, it has been widely acknowledged that Quebec’s healthcare sector faces chronic challenges. Rising healthcare costs and increasingly complex access to services continue to pose significant issues.

Innovative technology-driven solutions can help improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare for Quebecers. Local entrepreneurs are stepping up to make a difference by offering better access and enhanced care. To bring their vision to life and accelerate the commercialization of their products, these entrepreneurs are partnering with companies like ours, specializing in cutting-edge technology and healthcare solutions. With our deep understanding of healthcare challenges and our passion for innovation, we take on projects that aim to redefine patient care, simplify operations, and accelerate medical research. Leveraging our expertise in artificial intelligence and software engineering, we support clients in the healthcare sector. By prioritizing regulatory compliance and data security, we are committed to delivering user-centric solutions that enhance usability, accessibility, and patient engagement.

Here are some inspiring collaboration stories that are driving positive change in healthcare.

Begin Fertility - A digital health service to start the fertility journey at home

One in six couples in Quebec struggles with conception, according to the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). This represents nearly 15% of couples of reproductive age. Data on the use of technology in healthcare—particularly in fertility—demonstrates the growing impact of digital solutions on improving access to care and treatment efficacy. In fact, about 80% of fertility clinics in Quebec use online portals that allow patients to access medical records, track treatments, and communicate with healthcare professionals.

Begin Fertility offers a digital health service that enables families to start their fertility journey in the comfort of their own homes, on their own terms, at a fraction of the cost of conventional fertility treatments. The company provides an at-home blood test to measure hormone levels and assess ovarian reserve and reproductive potential.

In collaboration with Begin Fertility, we developed an intuitive and accessible platform that combines the best of fertility medicine with patients’ medical histories and test results to generate personalized fertility reports, recommendations, and treatment plans. The key challenge was balancing empathy and expertise—ensuring users feel understood and supported while receiving accurate information.

“Our mission is to democratize fertility care, empowering individuals to take charge of their reproductive health and transcend the constraints of biological clocks.”
Dr. Hélène S. Weibel - Founder of Begin Fertility, Specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at McGill University; Head of Obstetrics & Gynecology at CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal

Halo Dental Technologies - AI transforming dentistry

Many dental clinics in Quebec still rely on traditional patient record management and diagnostic tools, which can limit efficiency and quality of care. A report from the Canadian Dental Association indicates that only about 50% of dental offices in Canada (including Quebec) use electronic medical record (EMR) systems with advanced capabilities such as teledentistry or data management tools. Furthermore, a study by the Ordre des dentistes du Québec reveals that only 60% of dentists regularly participate in continuing education programs on new dental technologies.

Companies like Halo Dental Technologies are working to revolutionize dental care. Based in Brossard, the company was founded by passionate dentist Claude Chamoun and co-founders Fadi Khoury, Peter Khoury, and David Khoury. Frustrated by the time-consuming transcription of patient records and the outdated software in the industry, they set out to transform the dental experience. Their Halo digital dental mirror significantly reduces manual data entry, allowing practitioners to spend more time with patients and provide superior care.

We led the design and development of Halo’s medical record platform, integrating artificial intelligence and robust patient data security measures. This technology-driven solution, powered by a modern architecture and advanced data processing capabilities, complies with HIPAA and GDPR regulations, ensuring the confidentiality and security of patient information.

“The Halo digital mirror combines all essential tools in one device: light, camera, anti-fog technology, and AI. Most importantly, it bridges the gap between hygienists and dentists, enabling seamless patient record entry without increasing the time required to do so.” Claude Chamoun, Dentist & Co-Founder, Halo Dental Technologies
“What I really appreciate about the Osedea team is the empathy embedded in their solutions. They understand our reality and the challenges we face. It truly feels like working with colleagues rather than a service provider.” Guillaume Joly, VP Product, Halo Dental Technologies

Flow - AI to ease the burden on neuropsychologists and assist patients

As of February 2024, nearly 16,000 people in Quebec were on waitlists for frontline mental health services—a 4,500-person increase compared to the same period in 2021, according to the Quebec Ministry of Health. While wait times have slightly decreased for youth, the list has surged by 72% for adults.

Flow, founded by Quebec-based neuropsychologist Annie Desmarais, aims to streamline and automate repetitive processes that hinder mental healthcare delivery and contribute to treatment delays. We collaborated with Flow to design the user experience for a platform that enables neuropsychologists to generate draft reports using AI. This solution improves patient record management, data collection, and report generation while ensuring the security of sensitive information. Through this partnership, Flow is optimizing the workflow of neuropsychologists and reducing wait times, helping alleviate Quebec’s mental health crisis.

Emovi - A digital solution to improve efficiency and access to orthopedic care

Did you know that Quebec has one of the longest wait times to see an orthopedic surgeon in Canada? Due to the lack of specialized clinical tools available to frontline healthcare providers, accurately diagnosing knee conditions and establishing optimal treatment plans for patients is a significant challenge. As a result, a staggering number of patients are referred to orthopedic surgery without actually needing an operation.

We are collaborating with Emovi to optimize their digital solution for clinics and hospitals. Their innovation, KneeKG, enhances the understanding of knee conditions through real-time 3D motion analysis, offering personalized treatment plans and optimized care pathways for patients. In response to current challenges, the team has worked on integrating and simplifying existing processes, consolidating two software solutions into a seamless and intuitive workflow to enhance user experience. We designed prototypes validated by clinical users and are now entering the advanced UI/UX design phase to give the digital solution a cutting-edge look and feel. This collaboration aims to improve clinical usability, accelerate adoption, and ultimately reduce in-clinic assessment time. Ultimately, our contribution supports Emovi’s commitment to enhancing efficiency and the quality of musculoskeletal care, leading to greater patient satisfaction with their personalized treatment plans.

We’re proud to partner with local healthcare innovators, driving change and improving access to care. Together, we’re reshaping the future of healthcare and making a real impact on the lives of Quebecers. Let’s continue to push boundaries and bring even more groundbreaking solutions to life.

Let’s talk about how we can bring your vision to life.

Did this article start to give you some ideas? We’d love to work with you! Get in touch and let’s discover what we can do together.

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