About Provincial Pathways Unit

Alberta's Pathway Hub

The Provincial Pathways Unit (PPU) is part of Primary Care Alberta and is committed to delivering seamless, integrated care by standardizing, coordinating, and enabling the co-design and use of clinical and patient pathways. At the core of our work is a steadfast dedication to ensuring these pathways authentically represent and incorporate the voices of those they are designed to serve—patients, families, and primary care providers.

Our Approach: Co-Design in Action

Co-design is foundational to everything we do at the PPU. By collaborating closely with patient and family advisors, as well as healthcare providers, we ensure that pathways are practical, effective, and centered on the needs of Alberta’s healthcare community. This inclusive approach guides both the development and implementation of pathways, fostering trust, relevance, and usability.

Enhancing Primary Care Delivery with Alberta’s Pathway Hub

Enhancing primary care delivery in Alberta focuses on improving access to appropriate medical care and equipping primary care providers (PCPs) to effectively manage patient care within the medical home. By providing consistent and clear clinical guidance and minimizing unnecessary specialist referrals, this approach ensures specialists can prioritize timely treatment for the sickest patients, leading to better outcomes and greater efficiency across the healthcare system.

The Pathway Hub, launched by the PPU in partnership with the Innovation and Digital Solutions (IDS) team on September 21, 2023, plays a critical role in supporting this vision. This web-based platform centralizes a comprehensive library of PDF pathways co-designed with Alberta healthcare providers, offering tools and resources that empower PCPs to deliver enhanced care.

Key features of the Hub include:

• Streamlined care delivery: Referral pathways enable centralized access and intake processes, simplifying navigation for PCPs and patients.
• Support for specialized care access: Facilitating the implementation of Alberta’s provincial Facilitated Access to Specialized Treatment (FAST) program ensures timely and efficient connections to specialist care.
• Enhanced condition management: Clinical pathways provide clear guidance for managing conditions within the medical home, reducing the need for unnecessary specialist referrals.

By integrating these features, the Pathway Hub exemplifies how innovative tools can enhance primary care delivery, ensuring that Albertans receive the right care at the right time, while optimizing resources across the healthcare system.

Email albertapathways@ahs.ca if you are developing a pathway; have a pathway already developed; or have feedback about a pathway posted here.