Evidence brief: developing a rural health strategy in Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, where more than one third of the population lives in rural areas, geographic location can be an important factor affecting health, healthcare, and quality of healthcare.(2) Although all people living in Saskatchewan should have equal access to publicly insured healthcare programs and services under the terms of the Canada Health Act, those living in rural areas (including those living in northern/remote areas) may not be receiving the healthcare they need. As one rural resident described their experience with the healthcare system: "It's almost as if you can't get sick after 9 p.m. here ­ because there is nowhere for you to go if you do."

SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) 14: organising and using policy dialogues to support evidence-informed policymaking

Policy dialogues allow research evidence to be considered together with the views, experiences and tacit knowledge of those who will be involved in, or affected by, future decisions about a highpriority issue. Increasing interest in the use of policy dialogues has been fuelled by a number of factors: 1. The recognition of the need for locally contextualised 'decision support' for policymakers and other stakeholders 2. The recognition that research evidence is only one input into the decision-making processes of policymakers and other stakeholders 3. The recognition that many stakeholders can add significant value to these processes, and 4. The recognition that many stakeholders can take action to address high-priority issues, and not just policymakers. In this article, we suggest ques (mais)

Evidence Brief: Supporting Chronic Pain Management across Provincial and Territorial Health Systems in Canada

Chronic pain is a serious health problem given its prevalence, associated disability, impact on quality of life, and the costs associated with the extensive use of healthcare services by people living with chronic pain.(1) In Canada, some investments have been made to strengthen chronic pain management. For example, Alberta Health and Wellness (in partnership with the Alberta Medical Association, the Calgary Health Region, and the Capital Health Region) initiated pilot projects to evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary chronic pain management programs in Calgary and Edmonton.(2) In Québec, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux (Ministry of Health and Social Services) struck a committee to develop a national vision for the evaluation, treatment, and management of chronic pain.(1) The Nova Scotia Department of Health has provided a budget of $1 million per year since 2007 to support a province-wide system of pain clinics with regional primary- and secondary-care clinics and a central tertiary-care hub.(3) Despite these and other investments, the management of chronic pain remains a serious health system challenge.

Evidence brief: optimizing diabetes management in Ontario

Problems underlying the current organization of diabetes management in Ontario that may be affecting the overall accessibility and comprehensiveness of effective diabetes management can be understood by considering: 1) the nature and burden of diabetes that the healthcare system must manage; 2) the effective (and cost-effective) programs, services, drugs, and devices that must be provided within the health system to meet the needs of those living with diabetes; 3) the health system arrangements that determine access to and use of effective diabetes programs, services, drugs, and devices; and 4) the degree of implementation of the current diabetes strategy

Evidence brief: strengthening primary healthcare in Canada

Primary healthcare includes first-contact services delivered by a range of providers. Most commonly in Canada these providers are general practitioners and family physicians. However, increasingly these providers can also include nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and telephone advice lines, among others. Primary healthcare also serves a co-ordination function to ensure continuity of care as patients seek more specialized services within the health system. Health Canada defines the list of primary healthcare services as potentially including: "1) prevention and treatment of common diseases and injuries; 2) basic emergency services; 3) referrals to/coordination with other levels of care (such as hospitals and specialist care); 4) primary mental healthcare; 5) palliative and end-of-life care; 6) health promotion; 7) healthy child development; 8) primary maternity care; and 9) rehabilitation services."(1) However, whether any given service is defined as a primary healthcare service per se, or as a service "coordinated" by primary healthcare providers, can vary by jurisdiction and even by organization within a jurisdiction.