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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Summary: We examined the association between optimal control of dyslipidemia and mortality and healthcare costs in patients with high risk for cardiovascular disease (HRCVD) between 2012-2016 in Alberta, Canada. HRCVD patients who were optimally controlled had lower mortality and incurred modestly higher costs, compared to those who were not. Secondary prevention patients with…
| Dat Tran, Ilke Akpinar, Irvin Mayers, Tatiana Makhinova, Philip Jacobs
The objective of this study, published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, was to describe the trends in pharmacologic treatment for patients newly diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Alberta, Canada.
| Dat Tran, Thanh Nguyen, Arto Ohinmaa, Irvin Mayers, Philip Jacobs
OBJECTIVES: To examine the resource use and healthcare costs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Alberta, Canada between 2008 and 2016 and model the future costs to 2030.
This environmental scan describes existing initiatives that aim to accelerate the diagnostic phase of cancer care in Alberta, Canada, and internationally. Specifically, it describes their development and implementation, structure and functioning, intended outcomes and effectiveness, costs and cost savings, and enablers and barriers.
This report provides a summary of the IHE Biosimilars Forum engagement exercise that took place on October 6, 2016 in Edmonton. The intent of the forum was to inform Alberta biosimilar reimbursement policy by sharing international experiences in this area, and the perspectives of key stakeholders.
The Institute of Health Economics (IHE), in partnership with the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (CPFF), held a forum on April 25th, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, entitled Optimizing access to care for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A multi-stakeholder national forum, to discuss the need for patient-led policy recommendations and a patient charter for idiopathic…
This white paper follows on from the 2016 IHE report, Economic surveillance for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Alberta. It provides a summary of main gaps in COPD care across Canada and, in the context of a broad economic framework, it surveys important examples of programs and policies designed to address these gaps.
“The Canadian Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Charter is a way to call upon policymakers, health care providers and private payers to recognize IPF as a rare, rapidly lethal, chronic disease and to join in the campaign for greater awareness of this illness. The ultimate goal is to improve the overall quality and standards of care and ensure equal access to a continuum…
| Anderson Chuck, Thanh Nguyen, James Wesenberg, Rhada Chari, Robert Wilson, Selikke Janes-Kelley
Objectives: In 2006, the Alberta Ministry of Health issued a policy to implement fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing as a publicly funded service for pregnant women. The goals were to reduce maternity health care utilization and unnecessary treatment, which would result in cost-savings for the health system by more accurately diagnosing false preterm labour. We conducted a post-policy…
| Arianna Waye, Philip Jacobs, Maria Ospina, Michael Stickland, Irvin Mayers
This report provides the results of an economic surveillance analysis on the components of the Alberta healthcare system that are devoted to COPD prevention and treatment. It focuses on epidemiology (prevalence and incidence), service use, and cost indicators, and identifies gaps in the system that presumably add to the overall economic burden of COPD. PDF of the above image: IHE…
The purpose of this workshop was to examine COPD management in Canada through presentation of analyses and examples of system supports to action best practices to a select group of clinical leaders and relevant public sector decision makers. The group deliberated, and key themes and policy recommendations from discusssion were captured to form the basis of the final COPD Policy…
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Irvin Mayers, Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Alberta; Chair of the COPD Policy Framework Study Expert Advisory Committee.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Arianna Waye, Health Economist, Institute of Health Economics.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Mr. Michael G. Stewart, Director, Clinical Support Branch, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Michael Stickland, Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Alberta; Heart & Stroke Foundation New Investigator.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Simon Lessard, Quebec Lung Association Board & Scientific Committee Member, Community Pharmacist.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Cathy Clelland, Head of Department of Family Practice, Royal Columbian Hospital; Consultant, General Practitioners Services Committee, British Columbia.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
PDF of a PowerPoint presentation by Mr. Stephen Samis, Vice President, Programs, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement; and Dr. Graeme Rocker, Professor of Medicine, Dalhousie University; Faculty, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Care Canada Policy Workshop
| Werner J Becker, Ted Findlay, Carmen Moga, Ann Scott, Christa Harstall, Paul Taenzer
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.
Written under contract with the Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process (AHTDP). This report provides an assessment of how the adoption of fFN testing in Alberta impacted the clinical management of preterm labour and healty system resources. This was also an opportunity to retroactively use the Post Policy Implementation Framework to evaluate a specific policy developed within…
| Deborah Marshall, Egon Jonsson, Liam Martin, Diane Mosher, Karen V. MacDonald
This White Paper discusses the concept of developing a comprehensive rheumatoid arthritis registry in Alberta, and the important health, social, and economic gains such a resource would generate for Alberta.
| Victoria Ung, Thanh Nguyen, Karen Wong, Karen Kroeker, Thomas Lee, Haili Wang, Arto Ohinmaa, Philip Jacobs, Richard Fedorak
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Infliximab is effective for induction and maintenance of response in patients with moderate to moderately severe ulcerative colitis. Previous cost analyses of infliximab treatment for ulcerative colitis used models of colectomy vs infliximab and response rates derived from early clinical trials. In real life, therapeutic options are more complex; patients…
| Arto Ohinmaa, Thanh Nguyen, Cheryl Barnabe, Liam Martin, Anthony Russell, Susan G Barr, Walter Maksymowych
OBJECTIVE: To provide Canadian estimates of health care utilization costs associated withrheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related and non-RA-related care within 4 treatment strategies and in different physical functioning categories.
| Cheryl Barnabe, Thanh Nguyen, Arto Ohinmaa, Joanne Homik, Susan G Barr, Liam Martin, Walter Maksymowych
OBJECTIVE: Sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) results in healthcare utilizationcost savings. We evaluated the variation in estimates of savings when different definitions ofremission [2011 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Boolean Definition, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤ 3.3, Clinical Disease Activity Index…
| Christa Harstall, Paul Taenzer, Nancy Zuck, Donna Angus, Carmen Moga, Ann Scott
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;…
| Bach Tran, Arto Ohinmaa, Anh Duong, Nhan Do, Long Nguyen, Quoc Nguyen, Steve Mills, Philip Jacobs, Stan Houston
PURPOSE: This longitudinal study assessed the changes in drug use patterns and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among HIV-positive drug users in the first methadonemaintenance treatment (MMT) cohort in Vietnam.
Alberta STE Report written under contract with the Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process (AHTDP). This report summarizes available key information on the use of bariatric treatments for adult obesity in Alberta and North America (mainly Canada). This analysis was intended to describe the profile of adult obesity (definition, progression, epidemiology, and population dynamics…
| Christa Harstall, Paul Taenzer, Donna Angus, Carmen Moga, Ann Scott, Tara Schuller
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…
| Bing Guo, Christa Harstall, Thanh Nguyen, Arto Ohinmaa
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…
The IHE has produced a book of the proceedings from the Consensus Development Conference: FASD - Across the Lifespan. Hardcover copies are available for purchase at a unit cost of $25.00 CAD plus $2.50 shipping and handling. Click on the Add to Cart button at the bottom of this page to proceed with your purchase. In followup to the conference, the Institute has produced two…
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…
Reflecting the recent increased public awareness of the topic, this is the first and most comprehensive resource for over a decade on the molecular basis, prevalence, treatment options, socioeconomic impact, and prevention strategies of FASD. Edited by world-renowned experts, this compendium includes the latest research results to provide new insights and realistic estimations…
This background document outlines the methods used to develop the Alberta Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the Evidence-Informed Primary Care Management of Low Back Pain, which was produced as part of the second phase of the Alberta Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Ambassador Program.
Link to Alberta Ambassador Guideline Adaptation Program
Part of the successful Institute of Health Economics (IHE) book series, this handbook and ready reference adopts a unique approach in combining policy recommendations with specific treatment options for Parkinson patients. The first part of the book deals with the clinical medical, social and economical aspects of Parkinson Disease. These ten chapters include the latest diagnosis…
PURPOSE: A study was undertaken to evaluate the utilization rates of routine preoperativeelectrocardiogram (ECG) and chest x-ray (CXR) by sex, age, and most frequent surgery type, and to estimate the total cost of these screening tests.
The Consensus Statement on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - Across the Lifespan was produced by a panel of experts led by the Hon. Anne McLellan, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada. This consensus statement on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the product of a unique conference: The IHE Consensus Development Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Across the…
Le présent énoncé consensuel a été préparé par un panel indépendant de professionnels de la santé et de représentants du milieu universitaire et du public en se fondant sur: les études publiées pertinentes réunies par le Comité scientifique de la conférence pour l’établissement…
This report presents summary information on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Alberta, with comparison to the use of these diagnostic imaging technologies in other jurisdictions. The aims of the report are to: illustrate the capacity in Alberta to diagnose and manage health problems with the help of these important technolgies compare the numbers,…
L’honorable Michael Kirby (président de la Commission de la santé mentale du Canada) a présidé un éminent panel de citoyens et d’experts pour formuler des recommandations pratiques sur la façon d’améliorer la prévention, le diagnostic et le traitement des troubles dépressifs chez…
The Consensus Statement on Depression in Adults: How to Improve Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment was produced by a panel of experts led by the Hon. Michael Kirby Chair, Mental Health Commission of Canada. This consensus statement was prepared by an independent panel of health professionals, academics, and public representatives based on: presentations by and questioning of experts…
This rapid assessment addressed a request to assess the published research evidence on how the Actim™ Partus test compares to the TliIQ® System in terms of diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility, and costs when added to preterm labour management in symptomatic women with intact membranes.
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 TLi™ 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…
| Anderson Chuck, Philip Jacobs, Thanh Nguyen, Arto Ohinmaa, Janice Varney
Evaluation of enzyme immunoassay and immunoblot testing for the diagnosis of syphilis in Alberta. A new protocol for testing and diagnosing syphilis has been proposed in Alberta. The protocol proposes replacing rapid plasma reagin (RPR) with enzyme immunoassay (EIA) as the standard initial test and replacing Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) particle agglutination assay (TPPA) and…
A successful screening program for cystic fibrosis (CF) refers to the ability of the program to appropriately identify and refer for care those with CF, while meeting the needs of those who do not have CF, particularly those infants identified by the screening program as carriers (individuals unaffected by CF but have a mutation in one of their CFTR genes). Some measures of success…
| Philip Jacobs, Arto Ohinmaa, Scott Klarenbach, Anderson Chuck, Raj Padwal, Janice Varney, Doug Lier
Institute of Health Economics Working Paper WP 06-01. The purpose of this report is to examine the economic issues associated with LGB. The following analyses were conducted: a systematic review of the economic literature on obesity-related interventions, with special attention to the differences between gastric bypass and gastric banding; an estimate of the Alberta population…
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) HTA Report #35. The objective of this report is to assess the efficacy and safety of using trigger point injection (TPI) to treat patients with chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain, based on a systematic review of the current published evidence, and to determine the current state of the procedure, the feasibility of…
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…
| Sue Ludwig, Patricia Leggett Tait, Christa Harstall
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 #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 #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 #11. This report has been prepared in view of the increasing interest in ultrasound technology for diagnosis of osteoporosis. Until recently, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) was mainly being used in research settings. This procedure is still not covered by provincial fee schedules. The recent FDA pre-marketing approvals…
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) HTA Report #10. This report has been prepared as part of a project to assess the role of high cost functional diagnostic imaging (FDI) and related methods in routine health care. In the present paper, the potential application of four FDI methods to the management of epilepsy is considered. The assessment considered the current…
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…