Mission & Objectives
MISSION
CHEP is the volunteer, non-profit hypertension education program that provides annually updated, relevant, evidence-based hypertension guidance delivering improved cardiovascular outcomes to all Canadians.
OBJECTIVE
To improve the treatment and control of hypertension in Canada so the burden of cardiovascular disease may be reduced.
METHOD
The CHEP is based on the well demonstrated principle that clinicians are more likely to adopt recommendations or guidelines that are soundly evidence-based. The development of the recommendations is done through a rigorous iterative process between the Recommendations Task Force Sub-Groups and the Central Review Committee. Evidence is graded using a series of algorithms designed to assess the internal validity, precision, and applicability of each study supporting a recommendation.
This evidence grading system relies solely on underlying evidence. This means that recommendations receiving a grade A for strong evidence are not considered more clinically important than those receiving a grade D for a lack of evidence. Additionally, rigorous regulations on potential conflicts of interest further ensure that the CHEP remains unbiased. The CHEP has also begun a harmonizing process with the Canadian Diabetes Association Lipids Recommendations Process and the Canadian Society of Nephrology, to ensure that there is uniformity in the hypertension related guidelines produced by these organizations. It is hoped that this will prevent confusion in the clinical environment which might otherwise result from differently worded recommendations which are inadvertently interpreted differently.
CHEP CONTRIBUTORS
CHEP’s contributors are academics, scientists, and health professionals from across Canada who have a passion for hypertension. Each contributor also networks actively in their local communities with others who have an interest in hypertension. If you are interested in receiving information about CHEP and updates on hypertension in Canada, please send us your contact information.