Real-World Evidence Platform
Our Purpose
The Hotchkiss Real-World Evidence (RWE) Platform helps Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) researchers access and analyze real-world health data — including clinical records, patient registries, and population health datasets.
We bring together healthcare providers, researchers, and other partners from the University of Calgary to advance brain and mental health research and improve patient outcomes. By using data as a tool for quality improvement, the platform supports long-term trend prediction and continuity of care in clinical neuroscience.
What Do We Do?
RWE facilitates:
- Collaboration between investigators and stakeholders across HBI, the University of Calgary, and provincial and national partners
- Access to routinely collected healthcare data
- Linkage of investigator-collected data and external data sources
- Dataset creation and analytical support
Support for the RWE platform comes from many sources, including: HBI Open Science Framework, Departments of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, Research Funds from foundations/grant agencies, and Donor Funds.
Questions? Contact Dr. Paul Metzak, the RWE Program Manager (paul.metzak@ucalgary.ca)
Past Projects
Alzheimer’s Disease in Alberta: Understanding the Current State and Readiness for Disease-Modifying Therapies
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dallas Seitz
Funder: University Health Foundation – Alberta Roche Collaboration in Health
Project Summary:
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are growing concerns as Alberta’s population ages. This project uses health system and population-based data to understand the healthcare journeys of people living with dementia, evaluate current care pathways, and identify gaps in dementia care.
The study also examines Alberta’s readiness to implement emerging disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease by assessing potential treatment eligibility, current clinical practices, and healthcare system needs. Findings from this research will help inform strategies to support the future delivery of new dementia treatments and improve care for Albertans affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Associated Publications:
- Eligibility for Treatment with Disease-Modifying Therapies for Alzheimer's Disease Among Individuals Assessed in a Tertiary Care Specialty Dementia Clinical Program in Calgary, Alberta
- Estimating Potential Eligibility for Disease-Modifying Therapies for Alzheimer’s Disease Using Population-Based Data in Alberta, Canada
- Potential Eligibility for Disease-Modifying Therapies Among Individuals Referred to a Tertiary Care Memory Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Testing
Measuring and Improving the Quality of Community-Based Dementia Care
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dallas Seitz
Funder: Alzheimer’s Association
Project Summary:
As the number of people living with dementia continues to increase, ensuring access to high-quality care is essential for supporting quality of life for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. This project aims to identify meaningful ways to measure the quality of community-based dementia care by incorporating perspectives from people living with dementia, family caregivers, healthcare providers, and community service organizations.
The study will evaluate the current state of dementia care in Alberta and identify factors associated with higher-quality care. Findings from this research will help inform strategies to monitor, improve, and strengthen dementia care services across Alberta and Canada.
PRECISE-MH: PREcision Care with Information, Science and Experience – Mental Health
Principal Investigators: Dr. Dallas Seitz, Dr. Julia Kirkham, Dr. Valerie Taylor, Dr. Scott Patten, Dr. Monty Gosh, Dr. Geoffrey Messier
Funder: Calgary Health Foundation
Project Summary:
Addictions and mental health (AMH) conditions are among the most complex and challenging health concerns in Canada. This project uses population-based health data to better understand factors associated with homelessness and police involvement among individuals living with AMH conditions.
The study will identify characteristics of individuals at risk of experiencing homelessness or contact with police services and develop models to predict these outcomes. Findings from this research will help inform healthcare, housing, and community service strategies to better support individuals with AMH conditions and improve access to appropriate services.
Community & Patient Engagement: Dementia Advisory Committee (DAC)
The Dementia Advisory Committee (DAC), led by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute Dementia Neuroteam and community members, brings together people with lived experience of dementia, care partners, and researchers to help shape dementia research at the University of Calgary.
Through patient partnership, the DAC guides research priorities, study design, and processes to ensure dementia research is meaningful, relevant, and focused on improving healthcare outcomes for individuals and families affected by dementia.
Resources
Alberta Data Resources
- Alberta Government: Overview of available Alberta Health administrative databases.
- Alberta Health Services Datasets: Access to 9 of the most commonly requested Alberta Health Services datasets, with more available upon request. Includes information on its availability range, category, capture focus, and update frequency.
Canadian Data Resources
- Heath Data Research Network Canada: Algorithms Inventory resource for Canadian multi-site research studies.