International Journal of Health Policy and Management

International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Learning Care Pathways: Real Promise but Real Impact?; Comment on “Learning Care Pathways Framework: A New Method to Implement, Learn,Replicate, and Scale up Care Pathways for and With the Patient”

Articles in Press

Document Type : Commentary

Author
Matthew Menear
Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada
Abstract
This commentary presents a critical review of the paper proposed by Gartner and colleagues that describes a novel method and framework for implementing care pathways that incorporate key mechanisms from the learning health system (LHS) concept. The authors’ five-phased and 13-step method has several strengths, including the extent to which it is theory-informed, emphasizes patient involvement as a core design principle, and is oriented towards the creation of value in health systems. However, the paper also raises several critical questions related to the feasibility of the method’s faithful application in real-world settings and its consideration of issues related to health equity. In sum, the paper advances knowledge on care pathway implementation but the framework’s potential for real-world impact remains unclear.
Keywords
Care Pathways
Learning Health Systems
Patient Involvement
Value-Based Care
Implementation Science
References
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International Journal of Health Policy and Management

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 22 September 2026

  • Received Date 13 July 2026
  • Revised Date 10 September 2026
  • Accepted Date 10 September 2026
  • First Published Date 22 September 2026
  • Published Date 22 September 2026