University of Alberta

Evidence-based Practice Center

Profile

The University of Alberta, in partnership with the Capital Health Authority in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada has been approved as an Evidence-based Practice Center by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for a 5-year term beginning June 2002. AHRQ is the U.S. Federal Government lead agency for enhancing the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of healthcare services and access to such services. Designation as an EPC is a fitting extension of the recent and continuing strides being made at the University of Alberta in evidence-based medicine and systematic reviews of healthcare efficiency and effectiveness.

The objectives of the University of Alberta EPC are to:

1. Advance knowledge and research in healthcare through the location, synthesis, and dissemination of scientific evidence and technology reports.
2. Support and foster the development of evidence-based practice, bridging the gap between research and clinical practice through education, collaboration, electronic innovation and marketing.
3. Conduct methodological research on improving the conduct of systematic reviews to decrease bias and increase validity.

Capabilities

The University of Alberta EPC brings together a full range of multi-disciplinary, methodological expertise to provide services in the following areas:

• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
• Economic evaluations.
• Health technology assessments.
• Decision analyses.
• Practice guideline development.
• Methodological research in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
• Evidence-based medicine.
• Electronic innovation.
• Dissemination activities.
• Technical writing and editing.
• Evidence-based medical education.

The University of Alberta EPC research team has expertise in the following fields:

• Pediatrics and child health.
• Airways disease.
• Internal medicine.
• Emergency medicine.
• Injury and injury control.
• Rehabilitation medicine.
• Nursing.
• Chiropractic.
• Dentistry and orthodontics.
• Diagnostic imaging.
• Pharmacy.
• Toxicology and pharmacology.
• Clinical psychology.
• Complementary and alternative medicine.
• Health economics and technology assessment.
• Health informatics.

Collaboration

The University of Alberta EPC is managed by the Alberta Research Center for Child Health Evidence under the direction of Dr. Terry Klassen, with Dr. Brian H. Rowe (Division of Emergency Medicine) acting as Associate Director. Lisa Hartling is the Administrative Director of the EPC and Coordinator of the Alberta Research Center for Child Health Evidence.

The University of Alberta EPC is built on a network of high-quality, experienced researchers and clinicians representing a number of entities both internal and external to the University of Alberta. Members of the core research team include: Dr. Finlay McAlister (Departments of Public Health Sciences and General Internal Medicine), Dr. Duncan Saunders (Public Health Sciences), Dr. David Feeny (Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), Dr. Robert Hayward (Medicine), Dr. David Cassidy (Public Health Sciences), and Dr. Linda Carroll (Public Health Sciences). The core team also includes epidemiologists, statisticians, librarians, and other research and administrative support personnel. The Alberta Research Center for Child Health Evidence is a key member of the EPC with Natasha Wiebe (statistician), Lisa Hartling (epidemiologist), Ellen Crumley (librarian), Lisa Tjosvold (librarian), Kris Cramer (project manager), and Kelly Russell (research assistant). Finally, staff at the Division of Emergency Medicine will pray a prominent role in the EPC: Carol Spooner and Ian Colman (Research Assistants).

In addition to the core research and clinical team, the University of Alberta EPC has formal collaborative relationships with senior faculty across the University of Alberta and elsewhere to ensure a breadth of competency and the timely delivery of research products. The University of Alberta EPC has partnered with the University of Alberta Hospital, the Capital Health Authority, the Institute for Health Economics, the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, the Cochrane Airways Review Group, the Centres for Health Evidence, Population Health Priorities (Capital Health), the Cochrane Child Health Field, and collaborators from the Universities of Toronto, British Columbia, Calgary, and Manitoba.

Contact Information

Director:

Terry P. Klassen, M.D., M.Sc., FRCPC
E-mail: terry.klassen@ualberta.ca

Associate Director:

Brian H. Rowe, B.A., M.D., M.Sc., CFPC(EM)
E-mail: brian.rowe@ualberta.ca

Administrative Director:

Lisa Hartling, B.Sc.P.T., M.Sc.
E-mail: lisa.hartling@ualberta.ca

Mailing address:

University of Alberta Evidence-Based Practice Centre
Aberhart Centre One, Room 9424
11402 University Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
T6G 2J3
Phone: (780) 492-6124
Fax: (780) 407-6435

Internet Citation:

University of Alberta Evidence-Based Practice Centre. Profile, July 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epc/albrtepc.htm

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