PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Applications will be accepted if they are sent by overnight courier by 4:00pm on the day of the deadline.
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
The overarching goal of PRIHS is to support innovation activities that will contribute to achieving a sustainable
health system in Alberta. PRIHS combines the expertise of researchers, clinicians, managers, patients, policymakers and other stakeholders to transform and improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
The 2015/2016 PRIHS will focus on achieving improvements in two dimensions of the Health Quality Council
of Alberta’s Quality Matrix - appropriateness and efficiency - in areas defined by AHS and the SCNs. PRIHS is
a tool to help implement, scale, and spread change in a way that provides high quality care while using fewer
resources. Successful projects will present a persuasive change management theory and plan to identify and
address the obstacles to enablers of improvement. PRIHS requires meaningful patient and family collaboration
in the conceptualizing, planning, design, and implementation phases of each proposal.
The 2015/2016 PRIHS will fund the implementation of evidence-informed solutions to address specific health
system challenges in Alberta through the Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs). Funded projects will adopt and
implement existing evidence to improve quality of patient care and substantially reduce costs for the
healthcare system. Each Letter of Intent (LOI) application must involve a minimum of two SCNs to qualify.
Proposed solutions, innovations or new models in care need to focus on one or more of the following areas:

Transitions in care: Health care transitions are multifaceted. This area of need involves a change in
medical and/or functional status, a change in care settings for those experiencing complex health
needs, transitions in personal, family and/or community circumstances, movement in and out of various
programs and services, and/or changes in health care providers.

Complex High Needs Population (CHNP): Currently, AHS data show that 5% of the population of
Alberta is utilizing services that account for 65% of the costs associated with inpatient, emergency,
urgent care, general practitioner and specialty physician care. The complexity of care often results in
these patients receiving their care in less appropriate settings. This area of need is focused on ensuring
they receive the right care at the right time and in the right place by the right provider.

Appropriate use of therapeutics: The act of providing appropriate service(s) to remediate a health
concern following an injury, illness or disability. This area of need also involves under informed and
often unwanted care in the elderly or those with chronic terminal diseases where quality of life may be
more important to the patient. It may also include improving outcomes in settings where volumes are
less than optimal.

Appropriate use of diagnostic tests: Diagnostic and screening technologies are used to provide
information that may be used to inform providers whether certain interventions may be used. The
purpose of a diagnostic test is to provide information on the presence or absence of a disease. This
area of need seeks to reduce the negative value that is produced when (a) there is a false positive test
leading to further testing potentially with inherent dangers or (b) the likelihood of disease is so low that
many unnecessary tests must be conducted. Choosing Wisely Canada has made several
recommendations in this area.
Page 1
PRIHS LOI – 201509
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
Section 1: Proposal Title and Personal Data: Use additional pages if required.
A) Title of Proposal
B) Personal Data and Signatures: Must be completed for Lead and Co-Lead(s).
By signing this LOI application, the applicant asserts that this application adheres to all policies and procedures
in place at his/her institution, including those regarding integrity in innovation and scholarship. This LOI
application may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which, when taken together, shall constitute a
fully executed version of this LOI application. This LOI application, or a counterpart thereof, may be executed
and delivered by mail only and the facsimile or electronic transmission of a signature to another Party or
Parties (or to their respective solicitors) shall be of the same force and effect as the delivery of an original
signature.
Lead
Name:
Signature:
Title:
Mailing
Address:
Affiliation:
(Organization)
Phone:
Affiliation:
(SCN)
Position:
E-mail:
Co-Lead (if applicable)
Name:
Signature:
Title:
Mailing
Address:
Affiliation:
(Organization)
Phone:
Affiliation:
(SCN)
Position:
E-mail:
Page 2
PRIHS LOI – 201509
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
Co-Lead (if applicable)
Name:
Signature:
Title:
Mailing
Address:
Affiliation:
(Organization)
Phone:
Affiliation:
(SCN)
Position:
E-mail:
Collaborators: List the anticipated Collaborators, including the key knowledge users and SCN partners. Use
additional pages if necessary. The signature of each collaborator is required to indicate their willingness to
participate in the proposed activities.
Collaborator
Title and Affiliation
Expertise
Signature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Section 2: Additional Signatures
A signature from the AHS Senior Program Officer, Strategic Clinical Networks is required for this section. This
signature signifies that Phase I of the 2015/2016 PRIHS LOI application process has been completed and
each LOI application is submitted on behalf of the SCNs indicated in Section 7 of this LOI application.
Signature
AHS - SCNs
Printed Name
Tracy Wasylak
Page 3
Date (YYYY/MM/DD)
Title
Senior Program Officer,
Strategic Clinical
Networks
PRIHS LOI – 201509
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
Section 3: Executive Summary
Please check which area(s) your LOI will address:
Transitions in care
Complex High Needs Population (CHNP)
Appropriate use of therapeutics
Appropriate use of diagnostic tests
Describe what problem you are trying to solve, the health and financial impact of the problem as it applies to
Albertans, and the expected impact for both appropriateness of care, and efficiency. Please write this
section for a lay audience. Use analogies, simplifications, and generalizations rather than scientific and
technical terms. Do not exceed the space below.
Page 4
PRIHS LOI – 201509
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
Section 4: PRIHS Evidence-Informed Solution Description
Using a maximum of two pages, attach a clear description of the proposed evidence-informed solution.
See Program Guide 2015/2016 for more information.
Please note: This section is NOT requesting budget information to fund your proposed solution or the
scientific elements of the approach. The project budget will be obtained and assessed at the full proposal
stage.
In your description, please be sure to outline how your solution will meet the objectives outlined for
2015/2016 PRIHS and ensure you address the following:




Problem Statement: Clearly identify the current state of the problem in Alberta, in terms of
prevalence and costs.
Strength of Evidence Supporting the Proposed Solution: Describe the robustness of the
evidence used to develop the proposed solution and the evidence that other health care systems
have successfully adopted the changes you are proposing.
Quality Improvement: Describe what your study will improve related to appropriateness and
efficiency. If applicable, outline other dimensions of quality you expect to improve (effectiveness,
safety, acceptability and accessibility).
Patient Engagement: Demonstrate how your solution will affect the patient experience and how
you plan to involve patients.
Section 5: Commitment to Change (Feasibility and Relevance)
Provide a maximum one page description, to be developed by the applicants, in collaboration with operational
leaders and groups impacted by change, to describe how the proposed solution will be implemented, scaled,
and spread. Given the evidence from other health care systems and Alberta’s context, ensure you address the
following:



Change Theory: Describe the underlying process for effective change management, and the required
changes in behaviours, decisions and habits for successful implementation of the proposed solution.
Barriers to and enablers of Implementation in Alberta: Describe the main barriers to and enablers
of implementation to reach the minimal level of adoption required to achieve the proposed
improvements. For each barrier and enabler, identify strategies to address them.
Data Required: Summarize the primary and secondary data required to inform the proposed solution in
Alberta.
Section 6: Cost Impacts
Given the current profile of spending, and resources needed to deliver the care identified above to Albertans
(“current state”), describe how your proposed innovation will reduce current spending (on staffing, time,
materials, supplies and other resources) (“future state”).
Provide a maximum one-page description that includes:
 The minimal level of adoption needed to achieve the proposed improvements in appropriateness and
efficiency in Alberta.
 The timeframe needed to achieve the minimal level of adoption in Alberta.
 Which program areas in the health system will see improvements in quality and reductions in
spending and which, if any, program areas may experience increased costs resulting from the
improved quality.
Page 5
PRIHS LOI – 201509
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
Section 7: SCN Involvement
Please identify each SCN actively involved in the development of this LOI application and the name of the SCN
lead(s) co-developing this application.
Name of SCN
Name of SCN Lead(s) co-developing this application
Addiction & Mental Health
Bone & Joint Health
Cancer
Cardiovascular Health & Stroke
Critical Care
Diabetes Obesity & Nutrition
Emergency
Kidney
Maternal Newborn Child & Youth
Primary Health Care
Respiratory Health
Seniors Health
Surgery
As a single appendix, you may attach a maximum of three additional pages that include figures, charts, tables,
graphs and references. All figure/chart/table/graph legends are to be limited to five lines. See LOI Instructions
on page 7.
Information deemed additional to the application may be removed without notification to applicant(s)
and/or affiliated organization(s).
When complete, submit 1 copy of the Letter of Intent and all colour figures, charts, tables or graphs (part of
appendices) by mail to:
ALBERTA INNOVATES – HEALTH SOLUTIONS
Suite 1500, 10104 – 103 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 4A7
Phone: (780) 423-5727 Fax: (780) 429-3509
LOI Deadline: September 24, 2015 by 4:00pm
LOI applications will be accepted if they are sent by overnight courier by 4:00pm on the day of the deadline.
Page 6
PRIHS LOI – 201509
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN THE HEALTH SYSTEM (PRIHS)
LETTER OF INTENT (Proposal) FORM
Submission Deadline: September 24, 2015 at 4:00pm
Please refer to the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016
www.aihealthsolutions.ca
LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) INSTRUCTIONS
(The sections below correspond directly to the sections of the PRIHS LOI Form)
General Instructions:

The LOI application form must be completed in its entirety (including signatures) when applying.
Electronic, faxed, PDF or original copies of signature pages are acceptable. Signatures may be
submitted on multiple pages.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the LOI application is COMPLETE and received in the
AIHS office by the deadline date. No supplemental information may be provided after the deadline date.
Incomplete LOI applications (including those lacking any of the required signatures) are considered
ineligible.

The LOI application is to be completed using 11 point font size for all parts of the application. Margins
should NOT be less than 0.5 inches on all pages provided.

Applicants are required to use the space outlined in each section. Additional pages may only be attached
where indicated.

Copies of publications should NOT be included in any section of the LOI application package.

Do NOT bind, staple or place the LOI application in binders. Please use a paper clip or elastics to
assemble your LOI application together.

Do NOT use double sided photocopies.

Please review the PRIHS Program Guide 2015/2016 for more detailed program information, including
eligibility.

In addition to the expertise and resources available through the SCNs or Alberta’s universities, the AHS
Research Facilitation team is available to provide support in developing this LOI. They can be reached at:
research.facilitation@albertahealthservices.ca

For questions on the Letters of Intent Form, please contact Marc Leduc, Executive Director, Innovation
and Research Operations, AHS at marc.leduc@albertaertahealthservices.ca or 780-809-1267.

For questions on the overall 2015/2016 PRIHS, please contact Hameed Khan, Lead, Health & Health
Care Initiatives, AIHS at hameed.khan@albertainnovates.ca or 780-429-6876.
Page 7
PRIHS LOI – 201509