Project 465814

In Alberta, 19% of people smoke cigarettes, 28% drink alcohol excessively, and 70% are physically inactive. These modifiable behaviours can lead to chronic diseases, like cancer, heart, respiratory, or liver diseases. To promote health and prevent chronic diseases, Alberta Health Services (AHS) Provincial Population and Public Health (PPPH) will implement a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral (SBIR) program in 5-10 hospital sites in Alberta over three years. SBIR programs decrease tobacco and alcohol misuse and physical inactivity, and help reduce healthcare costs. SBIR involves identifying patients engaging in (or at risk of) these health behaviours, having conversations with patients to support behaviour change, and connecting them to treatment and resources. A patient's information about their health and treatment is not always shared between hospitals and primary care providers. This is an important issue to address as patients who receive SBIR at hospitals may not get the care they need once they leave the hospital. Primary care providers can continue to work with patients on their goals to decrease risky health behaviours and follow up on their referrals to treatment and support programs. As a Health Systems Impact Fellow, I will collaborate with AHS, hospital partner sites, primary care providers and organizations, IT specialists, and patients to develop data-sharing and coordination of care processes between hospitals and primary care providers. Once we develop these processes, we will plan how to implement and evaluate them. The co-design process will involve engaging diverse perspectives so that these processes meet the needs of patients who face barriers in receiving the follow up care they need. The work and learning from this fellowship will help to support AHS' 10-year vision to provide patient, family, and community-centered care by improving health and wellness, enhancing primary care integration, and leveraging technology and innovation.