Canada’s progress toward a fully connected health system is measured not just in policies and plans but in how systems actually work together. Projectathons are where that vision is put to the test – structured, non-competitive events that bring together vendors, jurisdictions, and clinical leaders to validate whether digital health solutions can exchange information securely and consistently across the country.

A prime example of a Projectathon tested standard is the Pan-Canadian Patient Summary (PS-CA) specification, which defines a common way to capture and share essential health information, medications, allergies, immunizations, and more, so it can travel with patients throughout their care journey. By testing against PS-CA, vendors and jurisdictions prove their systems can create and consume a standardized summary directly within clinical workflows, ensuring that vital health information is available whenever and wherever it is needed.

This session will explore how Projectathons accelerate standards adoption, identify issues early, and give governments, vendors, and providers confidence that solutions are ready for care settings. We’ll reflect on lessons learned from Canadian and international events and preview what’s next, including the upcoming Canadian Projectathon.

It’s a fitting finale: a look back at progress and a look forward to how innovation is tested, refined, and accelerated in the real world.

What You’ll Learn

• What Projectathons are and why they matter for interoperability and connected care
• How testing against PS-CA validates that systems can securely exchange essential patient information
• Lessons from Canadian and international Projectathons and how they accelerate adoption and problem-solving
• How collaboration in structured testing environments builds trust and strengthens system-wide alignment
• What’s coming in Canada’s next Projectathon and how to get involved