Our network of health services researchers design, interpret and report on evaluations of clinical practice, the organization and delivery of health care, quality and safety of health services, spending and costs of care. The team is experienced with linking health service use to patients’ and families’ outcomes to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of care.
Our network of health services researchers design, interpret and report on evaluations of clinical practice, the organization and delivery of health care, quality and safety of health services, spending and costs of care. Our team is experienced with linking health service use to patients’ and families’ outcomes to evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of care in collaboration with a wide range of clinical experts.
There is a growing demand by governments, health systems, and patients for empirical evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of health care spending. We provide the expertise to generate evidence to direct investments in the health system to maximize patients’ function, quality of life, minimize symptom burden, and improve experiences with the health care system and its providers. Patients’ perceptions regarding their own health are increasingly being reflected as important outcomes of processes of care.
Dr. Jason Sutherland is a Professor at the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research at the University of British Columbia School of Population and Public Health.
Health services and outcomes research activities span quantitative methods and qualitative research with patients and families. Current activities link population-based administrative datasets to measure perioperative care, while other activities measure patients’ perceptions regarding their shared decision-making.
PHC researchers reduced the number of routine chest x-rays at St. Paul’s Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), saving an estimated $27,000 a year and reducing patient exposure to harmful x-rays. The team, which included CHÉOS investigators Drs. Peter Dodek, Najib Ayas, and Hubert Wong implemented a quality improvement intervention that included education and computer order entry that proved to be effective in reducing the number of chest x-rays without having a negative impact on patient outcomes or processes of care. The study was published in BMJ Quality and Safety and was reported on by The Vancouver Sun.
CR-Decide is a qualitative study that aims to develop an evidence-based, individualized, decision-making tool to support shared decision-making (SDM) between patients and physicians during treatment selection for stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Once the tool has been built, the study will then focus on integrating it into routine clinical care.
Led by PIs CHÉOS Scientist Dr. Karin Humphries and Dr. Colleen Norris, CR-Decide will engage over 150 stable CAD patients and cardiovascular health care professionals across B.C and Alberta in focus group sessions and interviews in order to assess the importance of different prognostic information, to prioritize relevant clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes, and to discuss potential implementation strategies.
Current evidence suggests that patients’ and physicians’ preferences, with respect to treatment options and prioritization of outcomes, differ. The study, therefore, endeavours to address this discrepancy by facilitating the inclusion of patient preferences in treatment decision-making.
Read more about the project here.
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As Program Head of Health Services and Outcomes at CHÉOS, Dr. Jason Sutherland studies approaches to allocating funding as a way to improve value from health care
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