Grant: Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI)

The overarching aim of this study is to examine how we can combine evidence and public values to set priorities for cancer control programs (including prevention, screening, treatment and palliative/supportive care). Its objectives are to: (a) develop better methods for identifying, interpreting and applying evidence in different cancer control decision-making contexts; and (b) better understand if, when, and how public engagement and public values should play a part in priority setting processes for cancer control. The study will consist of five phases: 1. Refining an existing model for evidence-based decision making to focus on cancer control, and to explicitly incorporate public values. 2.Conducting a national survey of cancer control decision-makers, focusing on how evidence and public values are used in priority setting. 3.Conducting in-depth case studies of current cancer control priority setting processes in two Canadian provinces, to explore how evidence and public values should be combined when setting priorities for cancer control. 4.Conducting pilot public engagement exercises in two Canadian provinces. 5.Developing a decision-support tool for priority setting processes in cancer control. This study will result in guidance for decision makers on how to integrate evidence and public values in their own priority setting and resource allocation processes. By bringing together key cancer control researchers, decision-makers and members of the public, the work will seek to inform resource allocation across cancer prevention, screening, treatment and palliative care programs. The study will be based at the Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC), and carried out by a highly experience team of researchers and decision-makers from British Columbia and Ontario.