Medimap and CANImmunize partner up to transform patient care

Medimap, a Vancouver-based platform for finding, comparing, and booking various health-care services, has announced a strategic partnership with CANImmunize, the Ottawa-based software company that built the first digital immunization app. The partnership aims to improve patient care by removing barriers, increasing access, and simplifying the experience. 

According to the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), more than 6.5 million Canadians do not have regular access to a primary care provider, and one-third of patients struggle to receive care when they need it. Unsurprisingly, most Canadians believe the system has crumbled in the last decade.

"CANImmunize and Medimap work towards the same goal of helping Canadians achieve better health outcomes by helping them navigate the system more efficiently, so this is a win-win for everyone," said Medimap CEO, Thomas Jankowski.

A long time coming

After raising $3.5 million in seed funding in 2021, Medimap expanded its listings from walk-in clinics to pharmacies and over 30 services, including physiotherapy, optometry, and mental health. Meanwhile, CANImmunize received $4 million in funding to make its app available nationwide, making it easier to book vaccination appointments and store and update records.

Now in 2024, Medimap offers more than 2,400 listings and has helped more than 12 million Canadians receive timely care. As for CANImmunize, it continues offering digital immunization solutions for health-care organizations and is used by over 250,000 Canadians.

Both companies have come a long way, considering Medimap’s co-founder, Blake Adam, initially struggled to convince clinics of its value and that it took CANImmunize’s team 10 years to create the app’s first version.

Why the partnership matters

Canada has been stuck in a health-care crisis for multiple reasons. To name a few: staff shortages and burnout, surgery backlogs, and a lack of family doctors. 

The Fraser Institute, a research and educational organization, reported that the nation’s average wait times for medical treatment reached a record in 2023 — around 27 weeks. That’s 198 percent more when compared to 30 years before — 9.3 weeks. 

Medimap also reported that B.C. has the most extended wait times to see a doctor at a walk-in clinic — 79 minutes, two times longer than the national average of 37 minutes.

Medimap and CANImmunize offer hope in improving Canadian health outcomes. Already, Medimap benefits both patients and health-care services. Patients can use the platform for free and find a provider the same day they need care. As for health-care services, they can receive support with non-core tasks and minimize overhead costs. Plus, Medimap's AI load-balances help the health-care system by "algorithmically suggesting places with capacity over those that are too full." 

What’s next?

Experts predict scarcity will remain a challenge across health care globally this year.

Like other sectors, AI will be pivotal in helping to address issues particularly on the administrative side. AI could automate tasks like data entry, scheduling appointments, processing claims, and writing and organizing patient notes. While the average patient might not notice these things, they make a significant difference to providers — such tasks can take up to 70 percent of their time.

According to Catherine Burns, Canada research chair in human factors in health care systems, if done right, AI could help providers spend more time with patients and for patients to receive people-centered care — essentially, have services tailored to their wants and needs. 

Medimap and CANImmunize are among two of the many digital solutions for the health-care crisis. Consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), reports seeing a supercharge in adoption. To date, startups in the space have raised USD $17.8 billion globally, and the number is expected to grow.

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