Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework
Building a connected and intelligent health system through standardized data
CIHI is working toward a future of connected care where accurate health information flows securely and seamlessly between providers, systems, and care settings. This means patients do not have to repeat their medical history, and information such as prescriptions, referrals, and care plans can move with them throughout their care journey. Through collaboration with clinical partners, governments, digital health organizations, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, CIHI is helping to establish standardized ways to capture, share, and use health data across Canada. By improving how information is exchanged, connected care supports better patient outcomes, safer care, and more coordinated experiences, while also enabling innovation and growth in Canada’s digital health ecosystem.
About The Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework
What is the pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework
The Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework is a standardized approach to improving the quality, consistency, and interoperability of health data across Canada. It defines how health information is structured so it can be accurately captured, understood, shared, and used across different systems and care settings.
By using consistent definitions, formats, and a common structure, the Framework supports seamless data exchange and ensures that information keeps the same meaning regardless of where it is accessed or used.
Why it matters
Health data in Canada is often fragmented and inconsistent. This creates challenges when trying to share information across systems, support clinical and operational decisions, and ensure interoperability between organizations and vendors.
The Framework addresses these issues by providing a common foundation for health data. It improves consistency and usability, making it easier for organizations to work together and make informed decisions.
By supporting high-quality, standardized data, the Framework helps move Canada toward a more connected health system where better information leads to better care and outcomes.
What is the Framework?
The Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework defines and standardizes health information through a common data content standard and shared data architecture.
It includes:
- Standardized data elements and value sets
- A common data architecture for structuring health data
- A person-centric approach to support continuity of care
- Bilingual content in English and French
- Maturity levels from 0 to 3 to support implementation readiness
Together, these components act as a pan-Canadian health data library, providing a single place to understand how health data is defined and used.
How the Framework is used
The Framework provides guidance on what data should be captured, how it should be structured and stored, and what information should follow patients across care settings.
It supports a wide range of users, including clinical teams, health system planners, digital health vendors, and researchers.
By aligning how data is captured and shared, the Framework supports better care delivery, improved planning, and stronger insights across the health system.
Introducing the Canadian Core Data for Interoperability (CACDI)
The Canadian Core Data for Interoperability, or CACDI, is a subset of the Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework.While the Framework covers the full structure of health data, CACDI focuses on the core set of data that needs to be shared across systems to support continuity of care.
What is CACDI?
CACDI defines a standardized set of essential health data that can be exchanged across systems and jurisdictions.
It ensures that key patient information can move consistently between providers, whether that is between primary care and specialists or across different care settings.
Over time, the CACDI is intended to serve as a trusted source for health data content in Canada. It supports semantic interoperability by ensuring that data collected at the point of care, stored in systems, and shared across organizations uses a consistent language.
How CACDI works
CACDI works alongside Canada Health Infoway’s CA Core+ FHIR profiles.
Together, they support the practical implementation and exchange of standardized health data across Canada’s digital health systems.
Key features of CACDI
- A core set of standardized health data for interoperability
- Designed to be used across different care settings and use cases
- Aligned with pan-Canadian data standards and architecture
- Expanded over time through a collaborative and transparent process
Why CACDI matters
CACDI brings the Framework into practice by defining the specific data that needs to be shared.
It supports better coordination between providers, reduces duplication, and improves how information is used for planning and decision-making.
By standardizing the data that follows patients across care settings, CACDI plays an important role in enabling connected care.
How it all fits together
- Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Framework defines the overall structure and content of health data
- CACDI defines the core data that needs to be shared
- CA Core+ FHIR profiles define how that data is exchanged between systems
Guiding principles
The Framework and CACDI are guided by a set of core principles:
- Person-centric and designed for multiple users
- Pan-Canadian and interoperable across systems
- Applicable across all care settings
- Developed collaboratively and iteratively
- Supported by strong data governance and stewardship
- Designed for reuse across clinical, operational, and research needs
Evolving over time
The Framework and CACDI will continue to evolve, with new data elements and updates introduced over time. This ensures they remain aligned with the needs of Canada’s health system and continue to support better data, better decisions, and better outcomes.