Who we are
Epidemiology Coordinating and Research (EPICORE) Centre is a clinical trials and health services research centre.
EPICORE Centre is involved in the full range of activities necessary for the conduct of clinical trials, including protocol design, case report forms design, database creation, study management, implementation, site coordination (for multicentre trials), data management, and analysis.
We are involved in a large number of single centre, and multicentre trials. EPICORE Centre is also the home of the Centre for Community Pharmacy Research and Interdisciplinary Strategies (COMPRIS).
Mission Statement
To serve the Faculty and our community by generating new knowledge in the areas of health and health care through the design, execution and analysis of clinical trials, health outcomes research and epidemiologic studies.

What Investigators Are Saying About Us
“Our project application, “Nohtawiy (my father): Supporting Cree fathers-to-be using a culturally-appropriate, community led, and strengths-based approach: impact on maternal, infant and paternal outcomes” was much stronger as a result of the expertise of the Alberta SPOR Support Unit and the consultation process. Specifically, through the Consultation and Research Services platform and face-to-face meetings we were able to develop a more coherent and robust data capture and analysis plan, and a more meaningful knowledge translation framework, that made sense for both our community partners and our research group.

Without exaggeration, through their support, I was able to complete research tasks, organize a data repository, complete surveys and help direct and support one of our graduate students. All that had previously been hopelessly stuck or impossible to complete at my institution alone.”

“The Consultation and Research Services Platform provided support in the statistical analysis and interpretation of data from our recent study examining a new technique in echocardiography called ‘Multi-view 3D Fusion Echocardiography. Their contribution was integral to the success of our research. Because of their excellent quality of work I would consider them as a first-choice for any further research-related / statistical consultations that our group may need to request in the future.”

“The support and expertise of the Consultation Platform has resulted in the long term follow-up surveys being into the REDCap platform, including the ability for participants to provide electronic consent for participation. The registry will now be available to all SCI patients in the province, regardless of the etiology, or severity of their injury, time since injury, or place of residence. The REDCap platform is very user friendly for patients, clinicians, researchers, and community support teams.”

“Our project focused on validating the AHS foot care tool that is used for screening feet of patient living with diabetes. The Consultation and Research Services Platform were wonderful to work with on data analysis for our research study. Their professional attitude and commitment to executing the research activities allowed for quick completion of the results.?

“The consultation services provided guidance and helped focus the community based project I had proposed. The team was able to help me strategize and revise the plan to meet the budget and the study objectives. Through the networking of the team I was able to successfully run the project through pharmacies throughout Alberta. The project was larger, more successful, and more efficient than projects I had been involved with before.”

“We are thankful to the SPOR Consultation and Research Services Platform who met with us at multiple stages during the cirrhosis PRIHS grant development phase to provide guidance around study design and methodology. Closer to submission, Dr. Ross Tsuyuki and Dr. Yazid Al Hamarneh provided valuable edits on the proposal which no doubt contributed to our eventual success with our PRIHS application.”

“I was introduced to Ross Tsuyuki and the EPICORE Centre through the University Hospital Foundation, to help with development of a clinical trial to examine the impact and effectiveness of introducing a nurse practitioner for treatment of people with multiple sclerosis. The experience of working with EPICORE to develop a MS clinical trial, come up with relevant outcome measures, considering practicalities of clinical trial logistics has been invaluable to a clinician such as myself. EPICORE has provided the support and structure to design, then carry out a clinical trial.”

“EPICORE was responsible for designing the final CRFs, development of the database, interacting with the sites for data submission and entering the data into the database. To date, the recruitment closed as of September 2016 and the CRF data is entered. The laboratory data will be transferred over in the near future.”

“I wanted to have a ‘picture’ of the pain profile of our study participants. The EPICORE staff rose to the challenge and were able to find the right resources. Thank you!”

“Our whole team appreciates the way that Dr. Tsuyuki and his staff have
helped us through the planning, management and analytical aspects of
dealing with our precious data. They are always attentive to the nuances of
our projects and patient with the investigators, staff and students involved.
They are helping us to overcome some tremendous hurdles and make our
projects the very best.”

“Although it took us a while to get INFORM off the ground, working with
your team has been a pleasure – Lily in particular is responsive and on point
– I think we are going to position ourselves – with EPICORE’s help to be able
to gather and analyze this international data set in a very meaningful way.
thanks so much!”


Our Services
Design/Methods
Research question refinement
Project design
Method consultation
Grant review
Data Management
Development of case report forms
Database development and maintenance
Randomization
Quality assurance
Biostatistics
Development of analytical plans
Sample size calculation
Statistical analysis
Clinical event adjudication
A ‘real life’ example of electronic integration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into clinical care
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Our team
Highlighted Projects
RxPATH Study – Improving Hypertension Detection and Control through a Hypertension Certification Program Based Upon the Hypertension Canada Guidelines
Background/Rationale: Hypertension is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, accounting for more than one tenth (13%) of the total deaths every year. Hypertension control is still elusive despite its complications (e.g., heart disease, stroke and kidney failure) and advances in treatment. Levels of hypertension awareness and control have increased in Canada over the […]
Outcomes of Urinary Tract Infection Management by Pharmacists: RxOUTMAP
RxOUTMAP tracks and quantifies the impact of pharmacist management of patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common indications for which antibacterial agents are initiated. It is also the 8th most common reason for ambulatory clinic visits and the 5th most common reason for emergency […]
A Quality Improvement Project to Address lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) by pharmacists in the community (PILUTS)
Purpose: To determine if pharmacists in the community improve patient management of lower urinary tract symptoms. Setting: Community pharmacies in Edmonton and surrounding area Participants: Seniors who come to the community pharmacy Design: randomized controlled trial Control group: Pharmacist asks some assessment questions about LUTS Pharmacist determines the baseline scores on the patient questionnaire Pharmacist […]
Improving Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation through Pharmacist Prescribing: PIAAF
Your browser does not support the video tag. Lead Investigators Dr. Roopinder Sandhu MD, MPH and Dr. Ross Tsuyuki BSc Pharm, PharmD,MSc Study Sponsor Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Stroke Prevention Intervention Network (C-SPIN) & University of Alberta Hospital Foundation Central Coordinating Centre EPICORE/SPOR, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta Background Atrial fibrillation […]
NP Management of AF
The goal of this study is to evaluate quality of life of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) whose care is managed by a Nurse Practioner (NP) vs. standard cardiologist care.
NP management of MS
This study seeks to evaluate the effect of Nurse-Practitioner-led care for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), upon patient levels of depression and anxiety as compared to community neurologist outpatient standard care.
Outcomes of Diabetes Management by Pharmacists: RxING Practice Tool
Click HERE to access the RxING Practice Tool. In 2013, the original RxING study, entitled “Pharmacist intervention for glycemic control in the community,” was the first to investigate independent prescribing by pharmacists for diabetes care. Pharmacists systemically identified patients with poor glycemic control, prescribed insulin, and provided intensive education and support to attain adherence. As […]
Pharmacist CVD Intervention For Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis: RxIALTA
Click HERE to access the RxIALTA study. Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Canada accounting for nearly one third of the total deaths in both instances. The majority of CVD cases are caused by modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, […]
ENGAGE IN PHARMACY PRACTICE (ENACT): A REGISTRY OF PROFESSIONAL ABSTINENCE IN PHARMACY PRACTICE, AS SEEN BY PHARMACY STUDENTS
ENGAGE IN PHARMACY PRACTICE (ENACT): A REGISTRY OF PROFESSIONAL ABSTINENCE IN PHARMACY PRACTICE, AS SEEN BY PHARMACY STUDENTS With scope of practice constantly evolving, pharmacists are seeing major changes in their practice (and, presumably their role as primary care providers). However, regulatory changes in scope of practice will not substantiate improved care if pharmacists themselves […]