Home >> Health Screen in ACTION>> Frequently Asked Questions
- 1) Why is TOP implementing this program?
- Literature shows the completion rates for screening maneuvers vary, with completion rates at 75% or less. However, literature also indicates using a checklist increases the completion rate to 95%, showing a 20% or more improvement in completion.
- 2) When did the campaign begin?
- June 1, 2007
- 3) Who can enrol in the campaign?
- Primary care physicians practicing in Alberta.
- 4) Why participate in the campaign?
- Better care for your patients, and peace of mind for you. Screening saves lives. Checklists improve reliability. Participating in the campaign is simple, measurable and time effective. Using an evidence-based tool can help in the early detection or prevention of serious illness. Plus, the process you learn in this campaign can be used in other areas of your practice.
- 5) How do you enrol?
- Contact TOP at 1-866-505-3302, email healthscreen@topalbertadoctors.org or complete paperwork on the Getting Started page.
- 6) What is the cost to participate?
- There is no fee to participate, but you will be required to invest some time -- just as you would for any process improvement or CME activity.
- 7) Can a checklist really help save time?
- If you do preventative screening in your practice, you already use a list. What might be new is having the checklist on paper or on the computer. If you are using a documented list for the first time, the investment is a series of "ticks".
Payback may be twofold. A documented checklist reduces the time spent searching to see what was done in previous years and you may choose to delegate the tasks to an assistant. While the assistant can't make medical decisions, they can make preparations when guided by a checklist. - 8) How were the 10 tests/maneuvers selected?
- The screening maneuvers are supported by evidence and were reviewed and approved by the TOP Leadership Committee and the Health Screen in ACT10N Campaign Expert Committee (both of which include practicing Alberta primary care physicians). The maneuvers are supported by evidence from sources such as Alberta Clinical Practice Guidelines, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, and Health Canada.
- 9) Can I add to the 10 tests/maneuvers?
- TOP welcomes and supports any physician, clinic or Primary Care Network who wishes to add to the list. It's your practice -- please feel free to add to the list.
To reduce the complexity of campaign measurement activities, a common set of markers were developed that could be reviewed for all participating physicians, therefore only the 10 maneuvers will be examined. - 10) How will the campaign track and report the results you submit?
- TOP has developed a secure database that will capture the campaign results. Comprehensive policies regarding privacy have also been developed to protect the information.
You alone will receive your results. TOP will report aggregate campaign progress at other levels (from participating physicians to provincial agencies), subject to a minimum cell-size. Additional information on reporting can be found in the Campaign Policies. - 11) How long does the campaign run?
- The campaign enrolment period is from June 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009. Measurement activities will continue for an additional year, and will conclude by December 31, 2010. The final report will be available three to six months later.
- 12) Who has endorsed the campaign?
- The campaign has received endorsements from Alberta Health Services, Alberta Medical Association, the Alberta College of Family Physicians, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, Primary Care Initiative Program, and the Physician Office System Program.
- 13) What support is provided to physicians who enrol in the campaign?
- Support is available to physicians to complete the pre and post chart reviews, as well as general implementation support during this time. Physicians may also be supported through resources such as clinic staff or local primary care network resources.
- 14) Are CME credits available?
- This program (Health Screen in ACT10N) meets the accreditation criteria of The College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been accredited for up to 18.0 Mainpro-C credits. More information >>
- 15) Does the campaign require research ethics approval?
- The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has advised, "it is the opinion of the Research Ethics Review Committee that this project, as it has been outlined to us, does not require Ethics approval."