Bio: Fiona Clement, Ph.D., a 2014-15 Canadian Harkness/CFHI Fellow in Health Care Policy and Practice, is assistant professor of community health sciences and director of the Health Technology Assessment Unit at the University of Calgary. Previously, Clement was a post-doctoral fellow with the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation, which allowed her the opportunity to spend two years in the U.K. with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which spurred an ongoing data collection initiative of all public drug reimbursement decisions in Australia, Canada, and the U.K. She is active in health technology policy in Alberta, apparent in her leadership in numerous grants to build capacity and support, as well as her contribution in the Alberta Health Technology Decision Process (the expert advisory panel to review publicly funded health services). Clement's research interests include health technology assessment, drug plans, payment reimbursements, cost containment, and chronic disease. She has published over 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including JAMA and BMC Health Services Research. Clement received her Ph.D. in community health sciences specializing in health services research and health economics from the University of Calgary.
Placement: University of California
Mentors: Elizabeth McGlynn, Ph.D., Kaiser Permanente Center for Effectiveness and Safety Research; Rita Redberg, M.D., M.Sc., F.A.C.C., University of California, San Francisco
Project: Achieving Optimal Use of Technology: Learning from the American Experience
Description: Dr. Clement will examine existing processes aimed at optimizing technology use within the United States, and describe the adopted definition of "optimal use," organizational approach, processes, and desired outcomes of active exemplar programs. Using a case study design to feature four agencies in varied contexts and using different approaches within the United States, Fiona will review written material on relevant policies and strategies and complete semi-structured interviews with key informants. She will explore the adopted definition "optimal use," the theoretical framework, strategies, intended outcomes of the organization's program, and lessons learned for each of the agencies featured. The results of the project are expected to have direct policy impact in Alberta, where the Ministry of Health is actively developing an evidence-informed approach to achieve the optimal use of technology. In the United States, this research will provide insight into established programs and fill a knowledge gap for those interested in developing optimal technology use programs.