James (Jay) Andrew Shaw

Faculty Member

Accepting Students

Research Focus

My research builds on my professional experience as a physical therapist, and my research training in sociology, organization studies, and health policy, to examine ethical approaches to innovation in health care. I draw on the World Health Organization’s definition of health innovation: “Health innovation identifies new or improved health policies, systems, products and technologies, and services and delivery methods that improve people’s health and wellbeing” ). In my research I focus specifically on the ways in which models of integrated, inter-sectorial, community-based care are implemented in health care settings, and the implications of established and emerging digital technologies for enabling such innovations in care. I draw on advances in theory and methodology to promote a responsible health innovation agenda that is ethically oriented toward a positive future for all.

Impact

Through my work at the Women’s College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care (WIHV), VHA Home Health Care, and the North American Observatory of Health Systems and Policies, I maintain collaborations with health system decision-makers to promote the use of best evidence in the health system. These collaborations take a variety of forms, including research collaborations and co-hosting symposia on key policy topics to inform policymaking.

Other Affiliations

  • Research Director, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics & Health, Joint Centre for Bioethics
  • Scientist, Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Women’s College Hospital
  • Head of Research, North American Observatory of Health Systems and Policies, University of Toronto
  • Academic Fellow, Centre for Critical Qualitative Health Research, University of Toronto
  • Senior Research Consultant, Clinical and Health Services Excellence, VHA Home Health Care

The International Centre for Translational Digital Health advances the field of digital health in Canada, the UK, and Australia through the development, implementation, and translation of new technologies, policies, and service delivery models.

Carolyn Quinlan

MSc Graduate Student

Thesis: Exploring the Ethical Challenges in the Design and Auditing of a Machine Learning Computer Vision Algorithm for Clinical Use

Supervisors: James (Jay) Andrew Shaw, Melissa McCradden, Shion Guha