Canadians’ self-rated mental health has declined since 2015, according to Statistics Canada, with one-in-five Canadians now requiring access to mental healthcare.
And yet access to healthcare has also been sliding across the country as wait times continue to rise amid an expanding general population outpacing the growth of doctors.
Enter HiBoop, a Victoria-based startup seeking to reduce wait times for individuals and providers by providing a preliminary assessment for issues like anxiety, depression, and attention defectiveness disorder.
The newly launched platform consolidates standardized mental health tests into a single assessment that is supported by a scientifically backed algorithm, scoring individuals on various conditions. This diagnostic support enables patients to connect with their healthcare providers to verify and follow up on the results, as well as begin any treatment plans.
HiBoop’s Clinical Pilot Program, unveiled in collaboration with The Healing Institute at Forbidden Plateau, is currently in test mode as the team gathers feedback around user experience, assessment accuracy, and functionality.
“Our focus is on giving clinics the tools they need to provide faster, more accurate diagnoses,” says founder Jason Morehouse. “Working with The Healing Institute and other healthcare providers during this pilot is a crucial step in refining our platform so it aligns with the needs of both practitioners and patients.”
HiBoop’s assessment tool helps professionals diagnose conditions by simplifying the process, Morehouse says, allowing patients to be assessed remotely while providing clinicians with insights to guide treatment plans.
“We are committed to continuously improving the care we offer by exploring forward-thinking approaches that benefit our patients and enhance clinical practice,” stated Robert DeClark from The Healing Institute. “We’re eager to see how this innovative platform can contribute to a more seamless and insightful assessment process, helping us to better serve the people who rely on our expertise.”
By integrating into existing workflows, B.C.’s HiBoop hopes to empower healthcare providers to assess patients more effectively and offer more timely health support.
“Our platform isn’t just about simplifying assessments,” explains Morehouse. “It’s about supporting healthcare providers by giving them clearer, more actionable insights.”
Based on feedback from patients and clinicians throughout the three-month pilot, Morehouse intends to “fine-tune” the HiBoop platform with an ultimate goal of rendering the startup “an indispensable tool in mental health care.” From there, a wider public release will follow.
The Healing Institute at Forbidden Plateau is a mental health and addiction treatment centre located on Vancouver Island.
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