Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process

Alberta Health Technologies Decision Process (Decision Process) is the government’s response to the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Panel to Review Publicly Funded Health Services in its 2003 report Burden of Proof.

The Decision Process involves the use of appropriate evidence and information for decision-making on the public funding of health technologies and services, with emphasis on technologies requiring review provincially or nationally. Through rigorous and timely review of selected health technologies, it contributes to the health outcomes of Albertans and a sustainable health system.

The Decision Process, by bridging together research, public policy, and service delivery, allows the ministry and government to make evidence-informed decisions about the funding of health services.

The guiding principles of the Decision Process are: timeliness, rigor, transparency, and flexibility.

The Decision Process  comprises 4 main steps:

  1. Setting priorities (selection of health technologies and services for provincial review);
  2. Conducting reviews (health technology assessments) of selected health technologies and services;
  3. Consulting on findings, followed by formulating advice and implementing (communication) the decision;  and
  4. Evaluating the impact of policy decisions on the Alberta healthcare system.

Setting priorities

Selection of health technologies and services for provincial review

Setting priorities involves the identification of health technologies and services that potentially warrant a review at the provincial level. Standardized briefing materials are prepared and reviewed by the Alberta Advisory Committee on Health Technologies. The Committee's advice and recommendations are forwarded to the Ministry for approval.

Health technologies and services are identified through various means – 

  • Ministry staff maintain a regular scan of health technological advances through Internet searches of other health technology assessment agencies, Health Canada reports, professional journals and the media.
  • Health technologies and services can be referred for consideration by health system stakeholders and the public.

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