Robin Scherbatsky, a public health nurse at Lambton Public Health in Sarnia, Ontario, plans to advocate for public funding of the more accurate interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). She wants the IGRA to be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan the same way the tuberculin skin test, which also tests for LTBI, is covered. Although IGRA tests are more expensive than tuberculin skin tests, IGRAs are very accurate and effective at reducing unnecessary treatments given to people falsely diagnosed with LTBI, and this results in cost savings for the public payer. Given that the Ontario government is regarding preventative health interventions as soft targets for reduced funding, Robin is worried about whether her future advocacy activity will be successful. Robin has formed working relationships with local stakeholders such as health facilities, physicians, general practitioners, and nurses through advocating to them about how to test and treat LTBI and tuberculosis. She has to decide how to best advocate for this issue, making sure she has used all available and potential resources. The case aims to provide foundational knowledge of relevant political models and theories by applying them to Robin’s example
