We’re learning what’s
needed directly from
patients. Having them
front and centre is
really important
applemag.ca
FALL 2017 31
trials in what we call a real-world
evidence trial. We’re introducing
products into care and into real-life
settings. Real-life settings tend to be
messier and less controlled than clinical
trials, but they are also a more realistic
picture. If it proves useful, a product
or innovation can be introduced to the
healthcare 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 core
communities to bring people from across
the province together so that good ideas
can be brought to the table. This gets
done by people who run our healthcare
system collaborating every day. We also
have more than 110 patients and families
involved with the SCNs. We’re learning
what’s needed directly from patients.
Having them front and centre is really
important.|a
Tracy Wasylak is Alberta Health Services’ senior program officer for Strategic Clinical
Networks (SCNs).
Alberta Innovates supports
research and innovation that
improves people’s lives in areas
such as health and life sciences,
agriculture, forestry and ecology,
and energy and the environment.
By also helping industries grow
through research and innovation,
we help create jobs for Albertans
and strengthen the province’s
economy.