Evidence brief : Supporting optimal screening approaches in Canada

The views expressed in the evidence brief are the views of the authors and should not be taken to represent the views of the Health Council of Canada or McMaster University. [...] The following key features of the health policy, population health and health system context in Canada were also taken into account in the preparation of this evidence brief: • delivery of healthcare is primarily the responsibility of provincial and territorial governments and financing is shared between the federal, provincial and territorial governments; • the federal government also delivers he [...] For example, while cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in Canada and the cancer sector arguably has the most organized system of screening across Canadian provinces and territories, the percentage of Canadians who have received cancer screening within an organized screening program still varies by province and type of cancer.(23) Specifically, the 2012 Cancer System Performance Report ind [...] Specifically investigating this issue, a recent study examined the links between expanded disease definitions in guidelines, and the ties between the expert panels that produced the guidelines and the industry that stood to win or lose by their recommendations.(37) The analysis found that the “majority of panels proposed changes to disease definitions that increased the number of individuals consi [...] In addition, the ability to effectively coordinate screening is limited by the lack of electronic health records, information systems and data-reporting systems that support recall for monitoring and follow-up from screening programs, identification of duplication of screening tests, and timely and accurate collection and monitoring of screening data.