- Dr. Carmen Moga

While much of the research of the IHE is intended for a policy-making audience, other beneficiaries of the work done here are the clinicians treating Albertans. The Ambassador Program, which started in 2004, is a unique project that has been set up to provide that next step.

"The Ambassador Program is a research translation strategy which promotes the use of evidence to better address management of chronic pain," says IHE research associate Dr. Carmen Moga.

"We know that chronic pain is a public health problem in Alberta. Clinicians are doing a good job treating it. Our role is to provide them with and help ensure they are using the most current research evidence available in managing pain."

The Ambassador Program is inspired by work done by the Swedish health technology assessment agency (SBU) starting in the mid-'90s. SBU hired respected clinicians to act as liaisons between the institution, and clinicians and decision-makers in the field to inform about their research results. In Alberta, this method has been well received.

Recently-completed Phase I of the Alberta program involved consultation with a group of pain clinicians and opinion leaders -- the Ambassadors-- to identify 18 primary care interventions for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain. Eighteen evidence briefs were produced using the best most recently published research evidence and were presented through workshops led by program clinical ambassadors and researchers.

"In the evaluation of the program at the end of one year, participants, researchers, clinical ambassadors, all viewed the program as successful. Participants in the program read our work and visited the website, downloaded the pieces and shared them with colleagues."

Phase II of the program is now underway.

"This is again very exciting work," says Carmen. "We are focusing on developing an evidence-based Alberta-specific guideline and clinical pathways for the management of non-cancer low back pain"

"As researchers we are playing an important role in the guideline development and adaptation process. Our activity involves selection and evaluation of published guidelines, translation of research evidence, preparation, condensation, and presentation of relevant research information to guideline's committees including the Guideline Development Group. We hope to have a good quality product at the end."

This flow of information is an important issue which is why Carmen and her colleagues are so excited about the program.

"It's motivating to know that the work is useful."