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A third-year industrial engineering student's paper proposing virtual hospital wards has earned her spot as a finalist in the.

The annual contest seeks the best papers from university and college students about innovative practices in Canadian health care

“Over the past few years, my desire to work in this field has increasingly solidified, as I have learned more about the complexities and intricacies in healthcare, and how it encompasses so many different areas,” said Mary Qui. “More importantly, it’s a field that has the ability to directly impact the lives of individuals, both at home and around the world.”

Qiu’s paper, “Preventing Acute Care Hospital Readmissions Through the Use of a Virtual Ward”, is one of five chosen from 74 submissions from across the country. The winning paper will be announced April 2.

Qiu said she chose to write about the “virtual ward” because she thought it was a unique concept and a possible solution to the problem of an aging population.

A virtual ward, she explained, functions by transferring key components of health care out of the hospital and into the community.

“Patients are 'admitted' to the Virtual Ward, and are then cared for by a team who assess the patient on a regular basis. The care team is readily accessible around the clock, while the patient remains at home,” Qui wrote in her paper. Currently being tested in Toronto, the virtual ward could be used in other urban areas to help patients remain at home while still receiving the care they need.

Qiu is currently doing her Professional Experience Year (PEY) at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and says she hopes to pursue a career in the health sector.

Qui said she entered the health innovation challenge because she felt it was a good opportunity to explore and learn more about healthcare in Canada, “And the timing of it tied in well with my current PEY placement at St. Michael's Hospital. Being in that environment on a daily basis has exposed me to numerous and exciting endeavours that are currently being developed.”

For the challenge, students were asked to submit a written submission describing how they see an innovation shaping health care through a practice, program, service or policy. Specifically, students had to write a 2,500-word paper that answered the question “What new innovations in health care are having a positive impact in Canada? Identify and describe an innovative practice that is improving health outcomes, and tell us why it is working.”

Winners will receive a cash prize and a chance to apply for a summer internship with the Health Council.

“I feel very lucky to have made the short list," said Qui. "To have been selected from amongst students all across Canada is both an honour and a privilege.”