Accelerating AI Innovation in Healthcare Through Mentorship.

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Canadian healthcare system falls behind that of other countries. Socio-technological considerations such as organizational readiness and a limited understanding of the technology are a few barriers impeding its adoption. To address this need, this study implemented a five-month AI mentorship program with the primary objective of developing participants' AI toolset. The analysis of our program's effectiveness resulted in recommendations for a successful mentorship and AI development and implementation program. 12 innovators and 11 experts from diverse backgrounds were formally matched and two symposiums were integrated into the program design. 8 interviewed participants revealed positive perceptions of the program underscoring its contribution to their professional development. Recommendations for future programs include: (1) obtaining organizational commitment for each participant; (2) incorporating structural supports throughout the program; and (3) adopting a team-based mentorship approach. The findings of this study offer a foundation rooted in evidence for the formulation of policies necessary to promote the integration of AI in Canada.

Enhancing the value of digital health tools for mental health help-seeking in Canadian transitional aged youth during the pandemic: Qualitative study.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly exacerbated the mental health challenges of transition-aged youth (TAY) between 17 and 29 years old, it has also led to the rapid adoption of digital tools for mental health help-seeking and treatment. However, to date, there has been limited work focusing on how this shift has impacted perceptions, needs and challenges of this population in using digital tools. The current study aims to understand their perspectives on mental health help-seeking during the pandemic and emerging issues related to digital tools (e.g., digital health equity, inclusivity). A total of 16 TAY were invited from three post-secondary institutions in the Greater Toronto Area. A total of two streams of focus groups were held and participants were invited to share their perceptions, needs and experiences. Five main themes were identified: 1) Helpfulness of a centralized resource encompassing a variety of diverse mental health supports help-seeking; 2) The impact of the shift to online mental health support on the use of informal supports; 3) Digital tool affordability and availability; 4) Importance of inclusivity for digital tools; and 5) Need for additional support for mental health seeking and digital tool navigation. Future work should examine how these needs can be addressed through new and existing digital mental health help-seeking tools for TAY.