Past Best Brains Exchanges

For more information on any of the past Best Brains Exchanges listed below please contact eot.dpv@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

2012

Knowledge translation to decision makers in times of epidemic and pandemic: Identifying best practices

This Best Brains Exchange examined the current state of knowledge translation and decision-making, focusing on best strategies for knowledge translation to decision-makers; how to tailor strategies for the public health management of a pandemic or an outbreak with a novel respiratory infection; how to ensure that KT best practices are operationalized and how best to assess and deal with emergent evident.

Speakers:

  • Robert Bortolussi- Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist, IWK Health Centre; Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University: The influenza researcher perspective: how knowledge translation worked during H1N1
  • Margaret Fast- Scientific Director, National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases: How to best assess and deal with emergent evidence during a pandemic. 
  • André Corriveau- Chief Medical Officer of Health, Alberta: Case example: How evidence informs influenza-related decisions by the Public Health Network Council
  • John Lavis- Director, McMaster Health Forum/ Assistant Director, Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University: What we know now: Current state of research in knowledge translation to decision-makers

Facilitator: Ian Graham, Vice President, Knowledge Translation and Public Outreach Portfolio

Implementing Principles for Managing System Change in Chronic Disease Management in Primary Health Care

This Best Brains Exchange was designed to ensure that chronic disease management policy / program development activities and implementation plans are modeled upon best available evidence and promising practices.     More specifically, focusing on optimal care team composition to best manage chronic disease; integrating clinical guidelines for the multiple, co-morbid, chronic disease patient population and preparing primary health care providers for their part in chronic disease management self-management programs and embedding self-management, self-care programs into primary care settings.

Speakers:

  • Moira Stewart- Canada Research Chair at the Centre for Studies in Family Medicine - The University of Western Ontario: Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs: Preparing Primary Health Care Providers for their Role
  • David Colin-Thomé- former National Clinical Director for Primary Care – Department of Health, England: Chronic Disease Management – England’s Approach
  • Louise Nasmith- Principal, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia: Building Integrated Teams for Effective Management of Chronic Diseases:  What Works?    
  • Martin Fortin- Research Chair on Chronic Diseases in Primary Care, University of Sherbrooke: Managing the Realities of Multimorbidities:  Factors to be Considered when Implementing Models for Care

Facilitator: Robyn Tamblyn- Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research

Best practices in collecting and disseminating communicable disease data to improve public health practice in First Nation communities

This Best Brains Exchange explored how the experience of community-based researchers can inform regional and national data collection activities. The Exchange was an opportunity to explore how established researchers have engaged First Nation bands, tribal councils and political entities in data collection and dissemination. Additionally, the Exchange was meant to foster ideas for improving the availability and dissemination of communicable diseases data in appropriate forms at different levels, community, regional and national. These lessons and ideas could then be used to inform activities and initiatives elsewhere.

Speakers:

  • Richard Long- Clinician- Scientist, University of Alberta: The “Determinants of Tuberculosis Transmission” (DTT) Project: Implications for Aboriginal Health and Policy
  • Craig Stephen- Professor, Departments of Ecosystem and Public Health (Veterinary Medicine) and Community Health Science (Medicine), University of Calgary: Communicable disease threat assessment and local data.
  • Mark Sagane- Regional Manager, Health Information Analysis and eHealth, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada: Focussing on communicable diseases, what are the current regional best practices for collecting and disseminating health data to Health Canada national headquarters as well as back to the FN communities?
  • Jeff Reading- Inaugural Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Health Research, University of Victoria: Overview of First Nations and Inuit issues around communicable diseases.
  • Laurie Chan- Professor and Canada Research Chair in Toxicology and Environmental Health, University of Ottawa: What are the key features of a successful data partnership between a health researcher and a First Nation community (or group of communities)?

Facilitator: Ian Graham, Vice President, Knowledge Translation and Public Outreach Portfolio

Public Health within Health System Reform

This Best Brains Exchange was designed to provide the ministry with an overview of the latest research evidence, as well as timely expert advice on how best to align the provincial public health system with broader health system reforms in the province; and also improve participants’ knowledge of and access to research evidence on effective roles and functions of the public health system to support the ministry in tackling current issues it is or will be facing.

Speakers:

  • John Frank, Director, Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy: International perspectives: What can we learn from other jurisdictions?
  • Richard Massé, Professor, University of Montréal: Canadian perspectives on aligning public health systems with the broader health system:  Best practices and lessons learned from public health systems in Canada (i.e. B.C., Alberta and Québec) and their applicability to Ontario
  • Gerry Predy, Senior Medical Officer of Health, and Acting Vice President Population and Public Health for Alberta Health Services: Canadian perspectives on aligning public health systems with the broader health system:  Best practices and lessons learned from public health systems in Canada (i.e. B.C., Alberta and Québec) and their applicability to Ontario
  • Ruta Valaitis, Associate Professor, McMaster University: Canadian perspectives on aligning public health systems with the broader health system:  Best practices and lessons learned from public health systems in Canada (i.e. B.C., Alberta and Québec) and their applicability to Ontario
  • Raisa Deber, Professor in the Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto: Insights and Implications for the Ontario context

Facilitator: Roy Cameron, Professor, Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo

Keepin’ Them Out When They Don’t Need to Be In

This Best Brains Exchange was meant to foster dialogue among senior health officials from the provincial ministry of health; Regional Health Authorities, other stakeholder organizations and leading researchers in health system delivery to address the high rates of hospital and emergency department use by frequent users of the health system – specifically patients with co-morbidities such as mental health, addiction and chronic disease.  This will inform program and policy development within health, housing, healthy living, addictions and early childhood development in the provincial government and health service delivery system provided by regional health authorities.

Speakers:

  • Vicky Stergiopoulos, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Mental Health Service Scientist, Centre for Research on Inner City Health, The Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing, Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's/ Director, Division of General Psychiatry and Health Systems, University of Toronto: Addressing the needs of frequent users of emergency departments: A review of the evidence base
  • Sarah Purdy, Reader in Primary Health Care, School of Social and Community Medicine University of Bristol: A look at interventions to reduce avoidable hospital admissions Gina Browne, Professor, School of Nursing, McMaster University/ Founder and Director, Health & Social Service Utilization Research Unit: Reducing emergency department admissions for high user groups: Promising models

Facilitator: Malcolm B. Doupe, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba

2011

Health Science and Research in Canada's Arctic: Building on the evidence base

This Best Brains Exchange provided participants with the opportunity to discuss to current state of Northern health and research, including identifying the top three priority health issues that should be focused on in this region; what a health monitoring and surveillance network would look like and how to support it, through best practices and past experience.

Speakers

  • Susan Chatwood- Executive & Scientific Director, Institute of Circumpolar Health: Mitigating the increased need and strained capacity for health research in the North
  • Gregory Marchildon- Professor and Canada Research Chair, Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy: Moving forward: health system data gaps, policy issues and research priorities
  • Alan Parkinson- Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Surveillance in the North: How can this work in Canada and what is Health Canada’s role?
  • Kue Young- Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Setting the stage: Ten myths about Northern Health

Facilitator: Colleen Flood, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Toronto

Understanding the Role of Social Determinants of Health on First Nations and Opportunities for Collaboration through a focus on Obesity

This Best Brains Exchange was designed to build on some of the work that has already been completed on social determinants of health in First Nations communities and to advance current government priorities in health – particularly on the prevalence/incidence of obesity in the First Nations population.   

Speakers

  • Treena Delormier- Community Advisory Board Member, Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP): Intervention Research on Obesity in First Nations
  • Frederic Wien- Professor Emeritus, Dalhousie University: Social determinants of health as they relate to First Nations
  • Noreen Willows- Professor, University of Alberta: The role of social determinants of health in childhood obesity in Aboriginal communities

Facilitator: Ian Graham, Vice President, Knowledge Translation and Public Outreach Portfolio,CIHR/ Harold Tarbell, Professional Facilitator

Clinical Governance:  Form, Function and Experiences of Others

This Best Brains Exchange was designed to assist the Ministry and health regions in achieving a transformed, high quality health system and, based on what is observed in other high performing systems, to strengthen the role of clinicians in leading, managing, improving and evaluating the clinical components of the health care system and improve the relationships and alignment of providers and administrators. 

Speakers:

  • Ross Baker – Professor, University of Toronto: Medical Leadership in Healthcare Systems:  from Professional Authority to Organizational Leadership
  • Carol Sawka - Vice-President, Clinical Programs and Quality Initiatives, and Chair of the Clinical Council for Cancer Care Ontario: Developing a Clinical Governance Framework: The Experience of Cancer Care Ontario
  • Scott Young– Senior Medical Director and Co-Executive Director, Kaiser Permanente’s Care Management Institute: Establishing Organizational Structures to Support Physician Empowerment
  • Jack Kitts – President, and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital: Fostering Medical Leadership:  Applying the Evidence
  • Jack Silversin- President, Amicus Consulting: A Review of the Issues and Highlights of International Experiences related to Clinical Governance

Facilitator: Robyn Tamblyn, Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research

Urban and Northern Aboriginal Children’s Mental Health and Well-being: What are the challenges and how are existing policy levers at different levels currently addressing them?

This Best Brains Exchange provided participants with the opportunity to discuss the current state of knowledge on urban and northern Aboriginal children’s mental health as well as the factors that promote these children’s mental health. It also examined existing policy levers and coordination across jurisdictions.

Speakers:

  • Dafna Kohen- Senior Research Analyst, Statistics Canada/
    Adjunct Professor, University of Ottawa/ Carleton University: What does the Aboriginal Children’s Survey and other StatsCan data tell us about the mental health of Aboriginal children living in urban and northern settings and how does this relate to individual, family and community circumstances?
  • Leanne Findlay- Senior Social Science Researcher, Statistics Canada: What does the Aboriginal Children’s Survey and other StatsCan data tell us about the mental health of Aboriginal children living in urban and northern settings and how does this relate to individual, family and community circumstances?
  • Mike DeGagné- Executive Director, Aboriginal Healing Foundation: What innovative strategies/interventions are being implemented at the federal, provincial and local level to build mental health and well-being among urban and northern Aboriginal children? How effective are they?
  • Jennifer Corbiere- Manager, Aboriginal Head Start, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): The Aboriginal Head Start program and its role in contributing to promote the mental well-being of Aboriginal children living in urban and northern communities.
  • Clément Chabot- A/ Manager, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): The Aboriginal Head Start program and its role in contributing to promote the mental well-being of Aboriginal children living in urban and northern communities.
  • Janet Smylie- Research Scientist, Centre for Research on Inner City Health/ Associate Professor, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto: What are the challenges with existing programs and interventions? What could we learn from other countries that have implemented successful programs?

Facilitator: Ian Graham, Vice President, Knowledge Translation and Public Outreach Portfolio

Appropriateness and Clinical Variation in Surgical Care

This Best Brains Exchange identified opportunities to improve the delivery of appropriate, evidence based care for surgical patients and considered key steps in changing physician culture. Participants heard about the experiences of other health organizations that have applied evidence related to appropriateness and different intervention methods used to address clinical variation.

Speakers:

  • Charles Wright - Consultant, Medical Affairs, Program Planning and Evaluation/ Former Professor of Surgery, University of Saskatchewan: A Look at the Evidence and a Review of Approaches to Ensuring Appropriateness in Surgical Care
  • Chris Wood - Medical Director for Information Systems, Intermountain Healthcare: The Role of Data in Changing Physician Culture: The Experience at Intermountain Healthcare
  • Laurel Trujillo - Medical Director of Quality, Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF): Specialty Variation Reduction at Palo Alto Medical Foundation
  • David Urbach - Professor of Surgery and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto & Covidien Chair of Minimally Invasive Surgery, University Health Network: Changing Physician Culture: A Physician Perspective

Facilitator: Terry Sullivan - Professor, Health Policy, Management and Evaluation & Former CEO CancerCare Ontario

Innovation through Evaluation: Establishing a Comprehensive Framework for Evidence-Informed Policy Making for Seniors' Care

This Best Brains Exchange identified evidence related to existing evaluation principles, techniques and methods that are relevant to the scaling up healthcare innovations, with a special focus on seniors care and lessons learned elsewhere.

Speakers:

  • Robert Kane - Professor and Minnesota Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging - University of Minnesota School of Public Health: Managed Care Options for Seniors' Care: Evaluation Principles
  • Howard Bergman - The Dr. Joseph Kaufmann Professor of Geriatric Medicine; Professor of Medicine, Family Medicine and Oncology, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital: Disseminating and Evaluating Innovative Care Models in the Seniors' Population: The Experience of SIPA
  • Merrick Zwarenstein - Senior Scientist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Associate Professor, Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation - University of Toronto: Approaches to Evaluating Complex Healthcare Innovations

Facilitator: Margaret MacAdam - Associate Professor, University of Toronto, Senior Fellow, Canadian Health Policy Network, and President, The Age Advantage, Inc.

Slowing the Growth of Healthcare Expenditures

This Best Brains Exchange provided participants with an overview of the latest research evidence on different funding models (national and international) for both, acute and primary care settings including the advantages and disadvantages of each; with an emphasis on performance and outcome measures.

Speakers:

  • Raisa Deber - Professor of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto: Funding Models: What do we know?
  • Jason Sutherland - Assistant Professor, UBC Centre for Health Sciences and Policy Research: Review and Examination of Incentives for Facility-based Care
  • Stephen Peckham - Reader in Health Policy, Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Funding Models for Healthcare: The UK experience

Facilitator: Alan Katz - Associate Professor and Director of Research, University of Manitoba

Healthy Aging and Technology

This Best Brains Exchange facilitated a dialogue around existing evidence and best practices related to the effectiveness of assistive technologies to support older people to "age in place", including, impacts on patient health outcomes, caregivers and healthcare professionals and cost effectiveness.

Speakers:

  • Alex Mihailidis - Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technology/ Associate Professor, University of Toronto: Technology innovations for an aging population: a look at the evidence around the use and effectiveness of technology to support seniors to "age in place"
  • Corrine Truman - Manager, Continuing Care Strategy, Alberta Health and Wellness: Alberta's Continuing Care Health Technologies Roadmap: Continuing Care Health Technology Demonstration
  • Cheryl Knight - Executive Director for Continuing Care Integrated Services (Rural), Senior's Health Portfolio, Alberta Health Services: Alberta's Continuing Care Health Technologies Roadmap: Continuing Care Health Technology Demonstration
  • Irfan Dhalla - Physician, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto Scientist in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute: Promising emerging models for supporting aging in place: Virtual Wards

Facilitator: Susan Crawford - Assistant Director, CIHR Institute of Aging

Physician Compensation Mechanisms

This Best Brains Exchange provided an overview of the latest evidence and best practices on physician compensation mechanisms and structures in place across jurisdictions; to gain an understanding of incentivizing physician behaviours and accountability in pay-for-performance and other payment systems.

Speakers:

  • Isser Dubinsky - Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto: Overview of Provider Financing Systems, Challenges and Opportunities
  • Walter Wodchis - Associate Professor, Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto: Implementing physician payment: reforms and lessons learned in Canada, the US, Australia and the UK
  • Dr. Pierre Thomas Leger - Associate Professor, Institute of Economics, HEC Montréal: Financing and Incentives

Facilitator: Brian Hutchison - Professor Emeritus, Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis, McMaster University

Health System Renewal - Evidence for Ontario on Cost Drivers, Financing and Delivery Options & Spending Levers

This Best Brains Exchange provided participants with an overview of the latest evidence related to health system renewal, from experts in the field of health services and policy research.

Speakers:

  • Carolyn Tuohy, University of Toronto: Preparing for 2014: Options, scenarios, and implications
  • Jeremiah Hurley, McMaster University: Cost drivers: What's in store and what does this mean for 2014?
  • PJ Devereaux, McMaster University: Private for-profit financing and delivery in health care: What does the evidence tell us?
  • Mark Stabile, University of Toronto: Private for-profit financing and delivery in health care: What does the evidence tell us?
  • Marc-André Gagnon, Carleton University: Potential areas for health system transformation and reform: pharmaceuticals and pharmacare

Facilitator: Colleen Flood, University of Toronto

Health System Enhancements to Inform Improved Consultations and Efficiencies in Transfers for Care

This Best Brains Exchange helped inform the design of a new Territorial Support Network which would provide health care to patients in small, remote communities and support to remote practitioners in critical/emergency management.

Speakers:

  • Penny Jennett, University of Calgary: Evidence around factors related to organizational readiness for systems change: How to foster successful implementation and sustainability of complex systems
  • Robert Williams, Ontario Telemedicine Network: Best practices and lessons learned in establishing the Ontario Telemedicine Network: technology and systems design implications for remote health care
  • Richard Wootton, Integrated Care and Telemedicine, Tromsø, Norway: Models for assessing economic impacts and methods and measures for evaluation and research of a Support Network

Facilitator: Robyn Tamblyn, McGill University

Governance Models to Support an Integrated System of Care for Mental Health and Addictions Services

This Best Brains Exchange was designed to discuss existing, up-to-date research evidence related to system governance models for integrated delivery of care, and explore best practices and existing models of interorganizational collaboration in healthcare and models for measurement.

Speakers:

  • Gina Browne, McMaster University: Models for measurement of an integrated system of care for mental health and addictions services
  • André Delorme, Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services: Evidence surrounding an integrated mental health and addictions service system
  • Dianne Macfarlane, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Strategic Supports for an Integrated System of Mental Health and Addictions Care
  • Mary Wiktorowicz, York University: Understanding the governance processes that foster inter-organization collaboration: A comparative analysis of mental health network governance across Canadian regions

Facilitator: Robert Perreault, McGill University

2008 - 2010 Best Brains Exchanges

  • Primary Care
  • Developing and Implementing a Framework for Patient and Family-Centred Care
  • Incentivizing Health System Performance
  • Patients' Bill of Rights
  • Managing the Surgical Experience (Wait Times)
  • Improving Access to Healthcare in Rural and Remote Regions
  • Delivering Accessible, Quality and Sustainable Healthcare - Is there a Role for the Private Sector?
  • Patient-Centred Care