The outcome of IHE initiatives is providing better information for developing health policy and best medical practices. IHE disseminates information in many ways. In addition to publications in peer-reviewed journals, IHE produces books and a variety of reports synthesizing information in a particular field.
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Results for: Christa Harstall
Objective: Because of a lack of a control group, a case-series study is considered one of the weaker study designs from which to obtain evidence on treatment effectiveness. Under certain circumstances, however, this is the only available evidence to inform health-care decisions. This study's intent was to develop and validate a quality appraisal checklist specifically for…
Objective: To increase the use of evidence-informed approaches to diagnosis, investigation, and treatment of headache for patients in primary care. Note: This is an Alberta Ambassador Guideline Adaptation Program related publication.
A perceived gap exists in how well Canadian health technology assessment (HTA) producers are supporting the use of their HTAs by decision-makers. The authors propose that the newly released HTA Database Canadian search interface incorporate structured decision-relevant summaries of HTAs that would be developed by participating Canadian HTA organizations. The registry would…
This Information Paper is an inventory and broad summary of factors affecting the adoption and diffusion of health technologies and of available models, strategies, tools, and processes for optimizing health technology diffusion.
Summary of Systematic Reviews, Primary Studies, and Evidence-based Guidelines. The following research questions were addressed in this review: What are the clinical effects of a universal screening strategy for ARO carriage when compared with no screening? What are the clinical effects of a universal screening strategy for ARO carriage when compared with targeted screening (screening…
This report has been produced in response to a request from Alberta Health (AH). The objective was to perform a review of practices of engaging committees composed of lay people or members of the general public at international, national, provincial, and regional levels. The review attempts to address the following questions: What scientific evidence is available about committees…
Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of KT interventions for chronic noncancer pain management.
Rationale, Aims, and Objectives: The Alberta Ambassador Program (AAP) adapted seven clinical practice guidelines on low back pain (LBP) into a single guideline spanning the continuum of care from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment. The Ambassador adaptation process was evaluated to 1 Identify the major challenges encountered and successful strategies utilized;…
The review summarizes the current evidence on the safety, efficacy, effectiveness, and potential cost-effectiveness on the use of the BridgePoint Medical System (consisting of the CrossBossTM catheter, StingrayTM catheter, and StingrayTM guidewire) for the recanalization of refractory coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). The report also describes the relevant outcomes for…
This project is concerned with describing a comprehensive set of HTA products, not the methods used to produce them. The report describes various products produced by HTA agencies and provides a summary of the basic elements of these products, but an in-depth analysis of, or comparison between, the various products in terms of their methodology is beyond its scope. Information…
This exploratory report provides a summary of some of the published information on the current status of research in and potential future sphere of activity of nanomedicine (Part I) and an inventory of resources on nanotechnology and nanomedicine (Part II). Over the next 5 to 10 years it is expected that the overall impact of nanomedicine will be multifaceted, with significant…
This Methodology Paper summarizes the process, a modified Delphi approach, used to develop a specific checklist for the quality appraisal of case series studies. This work was supplemented with a review of other published checklists and an initial pilot test of the newly developed quality appraisal checklist. Researchers at the Institute of Health Economics with researchers from…
Aim: To critically appraise the clinical research evidence on the safety and effectiveness of FT compared with standard care in the treatment of patients with CDAD.
Rationale, Aims, and Objectives: A collaborative, multidisciplinary guideline adaptation process was developed to construct a single overarching, evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) for all primary care practitioners responsible for the management of low back pain (LBP) to curb the use of ineffective treatments and improve patient outcomes. Note: This is an…
Alberta STE Report written under contract with the Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process (AHTDP). Fecal transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated disease or ulcerative colitis examines the clinical research evidence on the safety and effects of fecal transplantation in the treatment of patients with Clostridium difficile-associated disease…
This article is an overview of systematic reviews reporting on the efficacy/effectiveness of psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy interventions delivered within Sex Offender Treatment (SOT) programs to reduce the risk of re-offending in convicted adult male sex offenders. Related Report: Treatment for Convicted Adult Male Sex Offenders
Objective: To ascertain knowledge gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic low back pain (LBP) in the primary care setting to prepare a scoping survey for identifying knowledge gaps in LBP management among Alberta's primary care practitioners, and to identify potential barriers to implementing a multidisciplinary LBP guideline. Note: This is an Alberta Ambassador…
This health technology assessment report is an overview of systematic reviews reporting on the efficacy/effectiveness of psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy interventions delivered within Sex Offender Treatment (SOT) programs to reduce the risk of re-offending in convicted adult male sex offenders. Information Specialist: Liz Dennett
OBJECTIVES: Values are intrinsic to the use of health technology assessments (HTAs) inhealth policy, but neglecting value assumptions in HTA makes their results appear more robust or normatively neutral than may be the case. Results of a 2003 survey by the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) revealed the existence of disparate methods…
The Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Over the Internet: A Rapid Review of the Scientific Literature report examines the research evidence on the frequency, effects, risk factors of sexual exploitation of children and youth over the Internet. The report also provides information on available resources in Alberta and Canada regarding Internet safety and prevention of child…
This report on Means Restriction for Suicide Prevention provides a summary of information regarding national means restriction policies/strategies and national/provincial intentional overdose prevention policies/strategies and their effectiveness. Policies/strategies that focus on children, youth, and young adults are of particular interest. This report consists of two parts: Part…
Rationale, aims and objectives: The Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument is a generic tool for assessing guideline quality. This feasibility study aimed to reduce the ambiguity and subjectivity associated with AGREE item scoring, and to augment the tool's capacity to differentiate between good- and poor-quality guidelines. Note: This is an Alberta…
The objective of this report is to assess research evidence on the safety and prognostic value of exercise testing (including electrocardiogram exercise testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing) for the prediction of cardiac events in patients with chronic diseases including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and arthritis. Information Specialist: Trish…
The purpose of this report is to advance the area of workplace mental health through a comprehensive synthesis of published research evidence. More specifically, this report examines the evidence on the effectiveness of organizational-level interventions for the prevention of stress in the workplace for adult employees without diagnosed mental illness. The main effectiveness outcomes…
The purpose of this report is to update an earlier HTA report published in 2003. This report examines the newly published clinical research evidence on the safety and efficacy/effectiveness of islet transplantation in type 1 diabetic patients who have severe hypoglycemia episodes or hyperglycemia unawareness but are without kidney failure. The main clinical efficacy/effectiveness…
Effective Dissemination of Findings from Research contains essays resulting from a workshop on effective dissemination of findings from research organized by the Institute of Health Economics. The publication is intended as one of the many available resources on dissemination of research findings for those interested in the subject. Chapter 3 of this report originally appeared…
Abstract: Health technology assessments (HTAs) are an as yet unexploited source of comprehensive, systematically generated information that could be used by research funding agencies to formulate researchable questions that are relevant to decision-makers. We describe a process that was developed for distilling evidence gaps identified in HTAs into researchable questions…
Air ambulance transportation with capabilities to provide advanced life support. The objective of this report is to present and synthesize the available published research evidence on the efficacy/effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of air ambulance transportation (helicopters) with on-board capabilities of advanced life support (ALS). The intent is to use this evidence to inform…
Risk assessment tools for predicting recidivism of spousal violence. The objective of this report is to assess the research evidence on the inter-rater reliability and predictive validity of various risk assessment instruments in predicting male-to-female spousal violence recidivism and lethality in those males who had contact with the police system. Information Specialist: Liz…
The role of rapid fetal fibronectin assay in the management of spontaneous preterm labour The objective of this report is to evaluate the added value of using fetal fibronectin (Rapid fFN for the TLiTM System, referred to here as the rapid fFN assay) to diagnose spontaneous preterm labour (PTL) in symptomatic women, which is the only fFN detection modality currently available in…
Rationale and objective: A research translation strategy for chronic pain was developed that has significant potential to advance the usefulness of systematic reviews (SRs) in clinical practice. Note: This is an Alberta Ambassador Guideline Adaptation Program related publication.
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Initiative #24. Health technology assessments (HTAs) routinely identify questions or research ‘gaps’ that are not adequately addressed by the primary research. The unique situation of having an HTA unit housed within a provincial research funding organization provided an ideal setting for linking research…
Background: The purpose of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is to make the best possible summary of the evidence regarding specific health interventions in order to influence health care and policy decisions. The need for decision makers to find relevant HTA data when it is needed is a barrier to its usefulness. These barriers are highest in rural areas and amongst isolated…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #38. This report aims to identify strategies that have been evaluated and reported in the literature and to assess their effectiveness in reducing emergency department overcrowding. Information Specialists: Seana Collins, Liz Dennett NOTE: In 2006 the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research HTA unit moved…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #37. The aim of this paper is to present the current evidence on the efficacy/effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of gastric electrical stimulation (EnterraTM Therapy System) used for the treatment of patients with severe gastroparesis (GP). Information Specialist: Liz Dennett NOTE: In 2006 the Alberta Heritage…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) Information Paper #26. The aim of this study was to determine whether laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a safe and effective procedure compared with open and/or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (LVBG), especially in the longer term (> or = five…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) Information Paper #24. The objective of this paper is to present the current evidence on the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of celeoxib (Celebrex®) for the treatment of pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Information Specialist: Seana Collins NOTE: In 2006 the Alberta Heritage Foundation…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) Information Paper #19. The objective of this report was to conduct a systematic review of the published research on the use of sclerotherapy to manage varicose veins of the legs. The intent of this paper was to answer the following questions: Is sclerotherapy effective for varicose veins of the legs and if so, is one approach…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #31. This report was prepared in response to a request from Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW) for information about the use of islet cell transplantation for patients with type 1 diabetes. AHW was specifically interested in the current status of islet cell transplantation using the Edmonton protocol for a sub-population…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #30. Using the 1996 National Population Health survey data, this report provides an estimate of the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) among Albertans. It was estimated that 11.2% of Albertans suffer some level of CP and about 2.3% suffer from severe CP. As the proportion of individuals suffering from CP increases…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #29. The aim of this report was to present and critically appraise the published evidence on the prevalence of chronic non-malignant pain in the general population and the primary care setting. A secondary objective was to summarize all the available information in the primary studies about characteristics of pain…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #27. This project is Part II of a request from several Regional Health Authorities and Alberta Health and Wellness, regarding two key objectives: to present information on the regulation of acupuncture in Alberta, including the scope of practice and coverage of services; and to conduct a systematic review of current…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #26. Given the very broad range of suicide prevention strategies, it is unrealistic to cover all of them in this report. Thus, the main focus of this review is to present the findings from primary research that assessed the efficacy/effectiveness of suicide prevention programs on school aged children and youth…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #23. This report is a systematic review and critical appraisal of the literature on the use of formal outpatient diabetes education as a therapeutic tool for self-management in adult patients with type 2 diatetes. It has been prepared to provide information to the Capital Health Authority in Alberta, Canada and…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #22. This review was requested to determine whether conductive education as a learning approach or therapeutic intervention is safe and efficacious for children with disabilities such as cerebral palsy that impact neuromotor functioning. The review also addresses the profile of the child who would benefit from…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #21. The three objectives of this assessment are to determine the available scientific evidence on: the effective time interval for mammography screening in asymptomatic women aged 50 to 69 years; the effective screening interval in asymptomatic women between the ages of 40 and 49 years; and the mortality rate…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #14. This report has been prepared because of the interest by the Consumers' Association of Canada and the Health Ministry in the increasing use of newer types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) and in their comparative advantage. The focus of the report is on the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of the three types…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #12. This report has been prepared following a request from the provincial Clinical Practice Guidelines Program for information on the accuracy of diagnostic tests for the detection of bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and trichomoniasis in females of reproductive age. The intention of this…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #7. This assessment was undertaken at the request of a Regional Health Authority to provide input into a funding decision on a computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) system for use by a rehabilitation department. The focus of this study was restricted to the clinical use of CDP by the rehabilitation community.…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #2. This paper is intended as a short overview of the effectiveness and status of a neurosurgical procedure, posteroventral pallidotomy (PVP), which is used in the treatment of some people with Parkinson's Disease. NOTE: In 2006 the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research HTA unit moved to IHE. Documents…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #1. This report has been prepared to provide information and assist discussion on the management of pressure sores, a significant source of morbidity in health care institutions. The focus of the report is on a specific technology, interface pressure measurement. It is expected that other issues in this are will…
