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…
Alberta STE Report written under contract with the Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process (AHTDP). This report is about testing for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and can also cause cervical cancer. Cervical screening aims to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality by detecting precancerous lesions early. Until…
Les estimations indiquent que un canadien sur trois aura un problème de santé mentale durant sa vie. Peu de canadiens réalisent l’impact que la mauvaise santé mentale a sur les familles, les communautés, les systèmes de santé et l’économie. La santé mentale est aussi importante que la santé physique…
Background: Although many programs targeting fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are implemented, the province of Alberta is still lacking information on costs of FASD.
Objectives: To estimate the costs of FASD in Alberta based on available US and Canadian research on costs of FASD, and Alberta data.
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…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #17. The present report has been prepared as a follow up to the previous assessment because of continued interest in the technology by the health ministry and others. It considers studies that have been reported in the literature since completion of the earlier assessment (1997-1999) and focuses on the efficacy…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #20. This report presents data from the telepsychiatry program subsequent to the pilot project. The assessment of telepsychiatry beyond the pilot project stage had two primary focuses: a) to develop and document information collection systems initiated during the pilot project evaluation, and b) to assess the operation…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #19. A request for information about the use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) to assist wound healing was received from the Capital Health Authority (CHA). This technology has been increasingly used within the Edmonton area, with somewhat different approaches being taken by individual operators. The concern was…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #16. This report has been prepared in view of the continuing interest in positron emission tomography and other functional diagnostic imaging (FDI) methods within the Alberta health care system. It also continues the work at the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research in developing approaches to assessment…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #16. This is the second volume of an assessment of functional diagnostic imaging methods in imaging of the myocardium. Volume 1 included an overview of the assessment findings and provided comments on the place of the FDI techniques in this application. In this volume, further details are given of the assessment…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #15. The present health technology assessment report has been prepared following a request by Alberta Health and Wellness for additional information on the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the treatment of acoustic neuroma, one of the applications considered in an earlier publication on SRS. Two main issues…
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…