Conference Theme

Today’s health care leaders want to know that investments in health care services, human resources, and decisions related to health care delivery are making a difference in the health and lives of Canadians. More specifically, decision-makers are looking for evidence on the health outcomes of care. They want to be able to answer basic questions about the effects of health care interventions on the health of patients and populations.

The Data Users Conference 2010 will focus on the concept of "health outcomes"-- as related to changes in health that are attributable to actions, measures, or specific health care investments or interventions.

We are looking for abstracts for poster or oral presentations that will provide insightful interpretations of data and applications of information to help health care researchers, planners and decision-makers take a step beyond the mere measurement of health and work toward understanding health outcomes of care.

Program Tracks for Concurrent Sessions

The program for Data Users Conference 2010 will be comprised of two tracks, each reflecting a different focus on understanding health outcomes.

Track 1: Tools and Frameworks

• Focus on innovation in data analysis, new frameworks and tools for answering questions, performing analysis and informing research.
  
  
• This is aimed at analysts and researchers responsible for interpreting, understanding and deciphering information from data.

Track 2: Importance of Data for Health Policy, Planning and Decision Making

• Focus on how to use information at the local, regional and provincial level for planning, policy development and decision making.
  
  
• This is designed to highlight research findings or techniques that have led to change in practice, improved health system performance, or improved understanding of or measurements for health status at the local or jurisdictional level.

Concurrent Session Topics

Through each of the two tracks, the concurrent sessions will explore the concept of health outcomes from the perspective of one of the following five topic areas:

• Health Human Resources: Examining the supply and distribution of health human resources related to specific providers.
  
  
• Health System Performance: Addressing questions related to costing, funding, value for money, patient safety and quality.
  
  
• Access and Equity: Addressing questions related to regional variation, wait times and patient demographics.
  
  
• Social Determinants of Health: Addressing questions related to the non-medical, socio-economic conditions that shape the health of individuals, communities and jurisdictions as a whole.
  
  
• ’Pulse’ Issues: Emerging, innovative and ‘hot-off-the-press’ issues.