Respiratory Evaluation Sciences Program: Innovations in analytic approaches to improve efficiency in respiratory care

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the most prevalent chronic diseases in Canada. This research program aims to improve patient outcomes and the efficiency of health care delivery in chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. The outputs of this research program will help enable evidence-informed decision making at all levels of care.

I analyze existing health data to gain insight into disease burden and gaps in care. I also perform economic evaluations that translate such knowledge into policy-relevant messages on cost-effectiveness of interventions, programs, and policies. Together, these components complete a logical pathway from answering "how big the problem is", to "what the available options are to tackle the problem", and to "what intervention provides the best health value for the resources it consumes".

The project that showcases this program of research is the Evaluation Platform in COPD (EPIC). Through this project, I am leading a pan-Canadian team of experts to develop a computer model of COPD that can be used to predict the outcomes of interventions and policies. EPIC will be capable of modeling the health and cost consequences of many different interventions along the entire pathway of care for COPD (e.g. smoking cessation programs, treatments for COPD, providing better community care, etc.).

Knowledge translation activities through this program will be aimed at raising awareness and usage of analytical decision making in resource allocation. This will be approached through a policy-practice-research partnership, an ongoing interaction between policy makers, best practice experts, and my research team. An established patient advisory committee is ensuring my research remains patient-oriented.

By improving our ability to make evidence-informed decisions at multiple levels of care, this program aims to provide a lasting benefit to the health of Canadians with lung disease and the efficiency of our healthcare system.