We’re learning what’sneeded directly frompatients. Having themfront and centre isreally important
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trials in what we call a real-worldevidence trial. We’re introducingproducts into care and into real-lifesettings. Real-life settings tend to bemessier and less controlled than clinicaltrials, but they are also a more realisticpicture. If it proves useful, a productor innovation can be introduced to thehealthcare system as a whole.
Q: What are AI’s and SCNs’ roles in
these trials?
Joseph: AI provides the research
funding for additional resources such
as a nurse, statistician, clinician or other
personnel to introduce the innovation
and track how it’s working. The SCNs
focus on supporting operations to
deliver the new approach and, if it
makes a positive difference, how it can
be adopted and then introduced across
Alberta’s healthcare system.
Q: What’s next for the SCN-AI
partnership?
Wasylak: We’ve formed corecommunities to bring people from acrossthe province together so that good ideascan be brought to the table. This getsdone by people who run our healthcaresystem collaborating every day. We alsohave more than 110 patients and familiesinvolved with the SCNs. We’re learningwhat’s needed directly from patients.Having them front and centre is reallyimportant.|a
Tracy Wasylak is Alberta Health Services’ senior program officer for Strategic ClinicalNetworks (SCNs).
Alberta Innovates supportsresearch and innovation thatimproves people’s lives in areassuch as health and life sciences,agriculture, forestry and ecology,and energy and the environment.
By also helping industries growthrough research and innovation,we help create jobs for Albertansand strengthen the province’seconomy.
