Media Release

New training courses on artificial intelligence offered to healthcare professionals working in oncology

MONTRÉAL, QC –

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the School of Artificial Intelligence in Health (SAIH) of the Center hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM-Montreal University Hospital Center) are pleased to offer a brand new series of training sessions on the contribution and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into oncology care pathways and into the practice of healthcare professionals.

Supported through $300,000 in funding over two years from the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation (MEI-Ministry of Economy and Innovation), this series of training sessions will enable better understanding the development cycle of AI in oncology (Module 1: The Fundamentals of AI), assessing the risks and benefits of an AI solution (Module 2: Critical Thinking), and understanding how AI can help clinical decision-making (Module 3: Clinical Reasoning).

"A report by the World Economic Forum (Future of Jobs Report 2020) indicated that 50% of employees will need training to keep up with technological developments by 2025. Healthcare professionals and people living with cancer need to be better equipped in this area. According to the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control 2019-2029, AI has the potential to increase the efficiency of cancer care, especially when it comes to its detection, diagnosis and treatment. We have no doubt that these training sessions aimed at demystifying the integration of AI will help improve our understanding of cancer and the way it can be treated in the future,” explained Diego Mena, Vice-President, Strategic Mission Initiatives and Engagement at the Canadian Cancer Society.

"AI offers unprecedented possibilities and is rapidly and profoundly transforming the care, teaching, research and management of health systems in partnership with patients. Developing skills needed for the future in order to give the public the best care is part of the CHUM's DNA and we are very proud of the tools that have been developed,” added Nathalie Beaulieu, Director of Teaching and of the CHUM Academy overseeing the SAIH.

Intended for various professionals working in oncology as well as cancer information specialists, the training modules are available on the shared online platform for continuous education of the Environnement numérique d’apprentissage provincial (ENA-provincial digital learning environment), for both network partners and off-grid service partners.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, from coast to coast and for all types of cancer. As the voice for Canadians who care about cancer, we work with governments to establish health policies to prevent cancer and support those living with the disease. No other organization does all that we do to improve lives today and to change the future of cancer forever. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.

About SAIH

The CHUM School of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare supports current and next-generation healthcare professionals and stakeholders. Launched in 2018, it is the first of its kind to focus on the development of human capacities and the implementation of AI in a real health environment, ethically and responsibly, to improve the health of the population.

We are much more than just a school, the SAIH bridges the gap between healthcare professionals and the AI sector.

eiaschum.ca

About the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
The Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM) is an innovative hospital devoted to serving patients and the Quebec population. The CHUM adopts an integrated approach to health and the population which is expressed in all aspects of its mission, namely: Care, Teaching, Research, Management and Innovation, in partnership with patients and citizens. To achieve its objective of continuously improving public health, the care trajectory and life trajectory of patients are managed using data analyzed by artificial intelligence from genetic and environmental information. In collaboration with other stakeholders in the health and social services network (RSSS), the CHUM offers the best specialized and ultra-specialized care and services based on the latest scientific knowledge. chumontreal.qc.ca

Source: Canadian Cancer Society

For more information, please reach out to:

Jack-Malcolm Samedi
Communications Manager
Canadian Cancer Society
jack-malcolm.samedi@cancer.ca

Andrée-Anne Toussaint
Communications Advisor
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
andree-anne.toussaint.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca