Publications

A Global Survey of Emergency Care Clinical Networks: Discussion and Implications for Canadian Learning Health Systems

Clinical networks (CNs) can promote innovation and collaboration across providers and stakeholders. However, little is known about the structure and operations of CNs, particularly in emergency care. As Canada advances learning health systems (LHSs), foundational research is essential to enable future comparisons across CNs to identify those that contribute to positive system change. Drawing from the results of our international survey, we provide a description of 32 emergency care CNs worldwide, including their structure, operations and sustainability. Future research should consider the context of such networks, how
they may contribute to an LHS and how they impact patient outcomes.

Ross Duncan, Monika Roerig, Sara Allin, Greg Marchildon, Jim Christenson and Riyad B. Abu-Laban. Healthcare Policy Vol.19 No.2, 2023.

 


 

Emergency care data to support learning health systems in Canada

NAO: North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies – Rapid Review

This rapid review aims to identify and compare approaches taken in selected Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia) to enable the access and analysis of data relevant to EC and explore whether and how these data are used to inform policy and clinical practice.

Morales-Vazquez M., Jamieson M., Roerig M., Abu-Laban R.B., Christenson J., Grafstein E., Stacy E., & Allin S. (2023). Emergency care data to support learning in health systems in Canada. Toronto: North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Rapid Review (no. 39).

 


 

Emergency Care Clinical Networks

Emergency medicine is, by its very nature as a horizontal specialty, challenged by the need to define and optimize awareness of timely evidence-informed care and best practices. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic drew attention to numerous gaps that threaten the mission of emergency care. This article provides an overview on emergency care clinical networks such as the BC EMN, and compares/contrasts these with traditional EM organizations. Its goal is to educate readers on the nature of such networks, and their potential role in an optimal emergency care and learning health system.

Abu-Laban, R.B., Christenson, J., Lindstrom, R.R. Lang., E. Emergency care clinical networks. Can J Emerg Med (2022).

 


 

An International Review of Emergency Care Clinical Networks

NAO: North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies – Rapid Review

Clinical networks have become increasingly widespread to promote innovation, knowledge creation and exchange, and collaboration. They are understood to strengthen care delivery and address fragmentation across settings and providers. Emergency care clinical networks (ECCNs) are specifically oriented to support emergency care providers working in emergency settings. This rapid review explores the prevalence and characteristics of ECCNs worldwide. Drawing on survey data and targeted web searches, we describe the structure, stated objectives, and activities of 32 ECCNs globally to identify and share promising practices that may ultimately enhance the effectiveness of these networks to improve care delivery and strengthen health systems. We also point to future research that emphasizes the role of ECCNs in fostering a learning health system approach that evaluates, adapts, and improves care in emergency settings.

Roerig, M., Carbone, S., Lynch, M., Abu-Laban, R., Duncan, R., Marchildon, G., & Allin, S. (2021). An International Review of Emergency Care Clinical Networks. Toronto: North American Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Rapid Review (no. 31).

 


 

Evaluation of Patient Engagement in a Clinical Emergency Care Network: Findings from the BC EM Network

The British Columbia Emergency Medicine Network (EM Network) has collaborated with patient partners to utilize their experiential knowledge to inform planning and implementation. Patient partners participated in several EM Network committees and initiatives. This study evaluated how patient partners and other leaders in the EM Network perceived patient engagement efforts 1 year after launch. The Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool V2.0 found that there was an appropriate level of patient engagement at this early stage, an opportunity to attract more patient partners as the EM Network grows, and a need to ensure adequate resources to support more activities.

Sharla Drebit, MBA, MSc, Kim Eggers, MD, FRCPC, Chantel Archibald, MD, MHSc, Riyad Abu-Laban, MD, MHSc, Kendall Ho, MD, FRCPC, Afshin Khazei, MD, Ronald Lindstrom, MSc, PhD, Julian Marsden, MD, Ed Martin, BA, Jim Christenson, MD. Evaluation of Patient Engagement in a Clinical Emergency Care Network: Findings from the BC Emergency Medicine Network. Journal of Patient Experience. 2020 May. DOI 10.1177/2374373520925721.

 


 

Process and findings informing the development of a provincial emergency medicine network

Describes the process undertaken to inform the development of the recently launched British Columbia (BC) Emergency Medicine Network (EM Network). Provide guidance and lessons learned for health leaders and others who aspire to establish similar clinical networks, whether in EM or other medical disciplines.

Abu-Laban RB, Drebit S, Svendson B, Chan N, Ho K, Khazei A, Lindstrom RR, Lund A, Marsden J, Christenson J. Process and findings informing the development of a provincial emergency medicine network. Health Manage Forum. 2019 Jun 9:840470419844276. doi: 10.1177/0840470419844276.

 


 

The BC Emergency Medicine Network: Evaluation approach and early findings

A review of membership/online engagement data and analysis of survey and interview results provide valuable insights for those interested in creating and improving clinical networks that support practitioners.

Julian Marsden, MD Sharla Drebit, MSc, MBA Ronald R. Lindstrom, MSc, PhD Carolyn MacKinnon, BA Chantel Archibald Riyad B. Abu-Laban, MD, MHSc Kim Eggers Kendall Ho, MD, FRCPC Afshin Khazei, MD Adam Lund, MD, MEd Ed Martin, BA Jim Christenson, MD. The BC Emergency Medicine Network: Evaluation approach and early findings. BCMJ, vol. 61 , No. 4 , May 2019 , Pages 164-171.


 

The British Columbia Emergency Medicine Network: A Paradigm Shift in a Provincial System of Emergency Care 

View the first publication on the BC Emergency Medicine Network written in collaboration with our patient partners. The article was published in Cureus, an open-access medical journal on January 04, 2018. The paper provides an overview of the EM Network, including its background, purpose, programs, anticipated evolution, and impact on the BC health care system.

Abu-Laban RB, Drebit S, Lindstrom RR, Archibald C, Eggers K, Ho K, Khazei A, Lund A, MacKinnon C, Markham R, Marsden J, Martin E, Christenson J. The British Columbia Emergency Medicine Network: A Paradigm Shift in a Provincial System of Emergency Care. Cureus. 2018 Jan 4;10(1):e2022. doi: 10.7759/cureus.2022.


 

Launch of the BC Emergency Medicine Network

An article on the launch of the BC Emergency Medicine Network; published in The BC Medical Journal Pulsimeter section.


 

A Network to Improve Emergency Patient Care by Facilitating Practitioners to Effectively Support Practitioners

A summary of the initial planning and implementation of a network to integrate clinician researchers and clinical experts with all practitioners in emergency medicine across the province.

Reports

Providing Out-Patient Therapy for Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department (April 2022)

A guide developed by the BC Emergency Medicine Network to consolidate guidance from the BC CDC and the Health Authorities for emergency practitioners providing out-patient therapy for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients.

BC Emergency Medicine Network 2017-2022 Impact Report

This report highlights major achievements and impacts of the Network and our pillar and innovation programs over its first five years.

BC Emergency Medicine Network Impact Report 2017-2022 Cover

BC Emergency Medicine Network Report Discovery Report 2017

This report provides clear recommendations to ensure that the online tool truly serves all B.C. emergency care practitioners and their patients.