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Navigating care options

Learn about care options, when to use them and how to get help if you’re not sure where to go.
Cancer

Information, services and support to help you or a loved one live well before, during and after treatment.
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Getting immunized protects you and those around you from serious and preventable diseases.
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Building a foundation for reducing disease risk and promoting long-term well-being.
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Patient pathways

Patient pathways help patients know what to expect and get the right care at the right time.

ON THIS PAGE:

About patient pathways
How to use the pathways
Patient pathways

About patient pathways

Patient pathways are step-by-step guides, co-designed with patients, for patients, that show what care might look like. They help you, your family and your healthcare team understand what to expect and work together at each stage.

Why use a patient pathway?

  • Know what to expect at each step
  • Get ready for appointments or tests
  • Understand who does what and what comes next
  • Make decisions together with your healthcare provider
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How to use the pathways

  1. Find one that fits your needs
    Choose a pathway that matches your health concern. We’re adding more all the time to help even more people.
  2. Follow the steps
    Each pathway shows what to expect – like appointments, tests, treatments and who will support you. They also describe self-management strategies and provide links to informative resources.
  3. Share with your healthcare provider
    Print or show the pathway at your visit. It can help you and your provider plan your care together.

Patient pathways

More pathways are on the way. We're adding new ones over time to help more people get the care they need.

  • Tobacco or Nicotine
    This patient pathway is for adults who are quitting or thinking about quitting smoking, vaping or using other commercial nicotine products. This pathway is not for people using traditional tobacco for ceremonial purposes or as a sacred medicine.
  • Giant cell arteritis (GCA)
    The Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) Pathway is a patient-focused guide outlining diagnosis, urgent treatment, and ongoing care. It supports early recognition, rapid management, coordinated specialist care, and whole person support for people in Alberta.
  • Lower limb ischemia
    Lower limb ischemia happens when blood vessels in one or both of your legs get restricted or blocked. It is a form of peripheral arterial disease and can feel very painful particularly with exercise. This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage and treat lower limb ischemia.
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
    Abnormal uterine bleeding is menstrual bleeding that is not normal for you. This pathway will help you learn more about what abnormal uterine bleeding is and what to expect as you work with your healthcare team.
  • Gender affirming care for adults
    Gender-affirming care is an approach to supporting and affirming someone’s gender identity through non-medical and medical options. This pathway provides resources and supports, outlines medical options and surgical treatment for gender-affirming care.
  • Perimenopause and menopause
    Perimenopause is the phase of life where the body starts to change leading up to menopause, which begins after periods have stopped for 12 months in a row. The resulting hormone changes are normal, but your healthcare team can help you manage a wide range of symptoms.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
    PCOS is a disorder of hormonal imbalance that can affect your periods and overall health. This pathway provides guidance about the symptoms of PCOS and what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage symptoms of PCOS and other associated conditions.
  • Post-menopausal bleeding
    Post-menopausal bleeding is when a person older than 40 years of age has new vaginal bleeding after one year of no bleeding. This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your team to manage and treat your post-menopausal bleeding.
  • Perianal disease
    Perianal disease includes hemorrhoids and anal fissures. This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage, treat, and prevent perianal problems.
  • Hepatitis B
    Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus. If you have hepatitis B or are a contact of someone who has it, this pathway can help. Managing hepatitis B and protecting your loved ones and sexual contacts is possible.
  • Autism
    This resource is designed to help parents and caregivers of babies and young children who may be experiencing developmental delays in social interactions or communication. This resource also acts as a guide for caregivers to understand what to expect if their child is showing early signs of autism.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
    Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain, burning, numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand and wrist. This pathway provides information about how carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed and what management options are available.
  • Ganglion cyst (hand and wrist)
    Any new lump or bump on your body should be checked by a healthcare provider. This resource is designed to help you know what to expect when you have been diagnosed with a ganglion cyst on your hand or wrist by your healthcare provider.
  • Hand and wrist osteoarthritis
    Osteoarthritis in the hands and wrists can affect everyday activities, and over time, this can take a real toll. Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, there are many things you can try to help manage your symptoms.
  • Low back pain
    Low back pain can have many causes, such as an injury to a muscle, ligament or nerve. You might feel low back pain directly in your back, in your leg, or both. This pathway helps you with symptom management, what exercises to try and when to seek support.
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
    The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is in front of each ear, where your lower jawbone meets your skull (temporal bone). This pathway helps those who experience symptoms such as pain or clicking in the jaw.
  • Trigger finger
    Trigger finger can occur in one or more of your fingers or thumbs (digits). You might experience a triggering sensation (locking, catching or clicking), pain, or stiffness in the affected digits. This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage and treat trigger finger.
  • Coping with and adjusting to dialysis
    Living with dialysis is not easy and many people need extra support. Emotional wellbeing (how you think, feel, and act) is an important part of living well with dialysis. This pathway will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare providers, and cope with and adjust to dialysis.
  • Kidney stones
    Kidney stones are formed when substances normally found in your urine (pee) clump together. You may have pain depending on the size of the stone and where it is located in your body. This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage and treat your kidney stones.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
    Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing stops or becomes very shallow while you sleep. This can make it hard for you to get a good night's rest and cause other health problems. This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage and treat obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Sinusitis
    Sinusitis is swelling and inflammation in the nose and sinuses. It is sometimes called rhinosinusitis (“rhino” is a word that can refer to the nose). This guide will help you to know what to expect as you work with your healthcare team to manage and treat sinusitis.
  • Female urinary incontinence
    Urinary incontinence is not a disease; it is a symptom of something else, and it can almost always be treated or managed successfully. This pathway will help you understand more about your urinary incontinence, what to expect when working with your healthcare team, and different management options that are proven to help.
  • Lower urinary tract symptoms (male)
    Lower urinary tract symptoms may affect how often, how easily, or how much you urinate (pee). These symptoms can feel deeply personal and difficult to talk about. This pathway offers support and resources to deal with these symptoms.