Innovation Anthology #594:

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Statistics indicate 85 percent of Canadians will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

But getting satisfactory care in a timely manner is causing a major crisis in health care delivery.

Rehabilitation expert Dr. Linda Woodhouse from the University of Alberta explains.

DR LINDA WOODHOUSE: If we take 85 percent of Canadians, and they all feel they need diagnostic imaging, MRI’s and to see a specialist, that creates a long wait list. You see on the average about three providers, about six months apart, So six months wait in each of those cues. You might get to see a specialist at two years who then says, well you’re really not a surgical candidate. And you’re back to the beginning again. So we’re really trying to focus on where are the gaps in service delivery? And the primary gap is, can we get you in quickly to do a comprehensive assessment and help you to determine, are you the 90 percent that don’t need anything else? You can be managed conservatively. Or are you in that 10 percent that really need to go on for further interventions and possibly surgery?

With funding from Alberta Health Services and Alberta innovates Health Solutions, Dr. Woodhouse has launched a new program called SpineAccess Alberta.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2014-02-13