Pathways Defined

Alberta's Pathway Hub

Clinical Pathways

Clinical pathways provide a set of actions for primary care providers to guide care options for patients with specific health conditions. Co-designed with Primary and Specialty Care and patients, the pathways include an algorithm of evidence-informed, clinician-recommended options or steps to inform interdisciplinary care which will aid in the management of specific health conditions.

Most clinical pathways are provincial in nature; however, they may also include local practice options such as availability of diagnostic testing or available resources.

Note: Clinical pathways are not clinical practice guidelines.


Patient Pathways

Patient pathways are co-designed with patients, for patients. They include brief, easy-to-read handouts that mirror clinical pathways for a specific health condition or concern. The pathway describes the condition, steps for managing symptoms, available tests and treatments and information on when a referral may be required. They also describe self-management strategies and provide links to informative resources.


Referral Pathways

Referral pathways are guidelines to help referring providers know what information, labs and diagnostic imaging are required with their referral to a specialty. Co-designed with Primary and Specialty Care, and AHS Operations and patients to ensure the right amount of information is included throughout the referral process to triage the patient as quickly as possible. To ensure referring providers have referral information at their fingertips, referral pathways may link to clinical pathways when available. AHS manages referral pathways and extensive work is ongoing as part of the Alberta Surgical Initiative. If you have questions or want to know more about the referral pathway development process, please email access.ereferral@ahs.ca.