About the CTFPHC
The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Canadian Task Force) was created by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to develop clinical practice guidelines that support primary care providers in delivering preventive health care.
Guideline development is based on a systematic review of the scientific evidence.
The Canadian Task Force:
- Selects the topics for which guidelines will be developed (or updated). Decisions are informed by consultations with PHAC and Health Canada, as well as health professional associations, charities, academic institutions, guideline-developing organizations in other countries, and other relevant organizations.
- Directs Evidence Review and Synthesis Centres in the systematic review of the scientific evidence, based on key questions developed by working groups.
- Uses the GRADE method to assess the strength of the evidence using best scientific methods.
- Identifies when to consult experts from other disciplines to ensure the completeness of the analysis.
- Assesses the evidence associated with the systematic review to develop consensus recommendations.
- Produces reference documents for each preventive topic to facilitate their implementation by primary care providers.
- Identifies gaps in the evidence that need to be addressed and sets a research agenda to guide new research.
CTFPHC organizational chart
Guideline development process
Who are the members of the CTFPHC?
The Canadian Task Force is an independent body composed of fifteen experts in prevention and primary care who recognize the need to support evidence-based prevention activities in primary care in Canada.
Who is the target audience?
Primary care professionals are the main target audience. The work of the Canadian Task Force is also relevant to public and community health professionals (public health nurses, dietitians), specialist physicians, other health professionals and allied health professionals, program developers, decision-makers and the Canadian public.
Structure and partners
- Canadian Task Force — 15 independent experts in preventive and primary health care.
- Global Health and Guidelines Division (PHAC) — Provides scientific and technical support to the Canadian Task Force.
- Evidence Review and Synthesis Centres — Carry out reviews of the scientific evidence to support guideline development.
- Knowledge Translation (KT) Program at St. Michael's Hospital — Provides support for knowledge translation, improving the dissemination of guidelines, evaluation, stakeholder engagement and communication with the public.