Patient Oriented Research
Working with our provincial and national partners, SHRF is facilitating plans to advance patient-oriented research in Saskatchewan. Patient-oriented research is described by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) as the “cornerstone of evidence-informed health care”, and ranges from testing new therapies, such as drug trials, to comparing methods of health care delivery to see what works best or is more efficient. Patient-oriented research aligns well with the priorities of the provincial Health Research Strategy, the recommendations of the 2009 Patient First review, and CIHR’s national efforts to link research and innovation more closely with health care throughout the country.
What SHRF is doing
So far, we have convened a group of key stakeholders to develop a long-term plan for growing and sustaining patient-oriented research in Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Ministry of Health, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Saskatoon Health Region, Health Quality Council, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Innovation Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and the Saskatchewan Academic Health Sciences Network are members of the working group focused on identifying priorities for patient-oriented research in our province. These priorities will address areas of high disease burden in Saskatchewan, and build on existing research excellence. Work began in summer 2011 and will continue through winter, in preparation for a CIHR funding opportunity announcement expected in early 2012.
Once priorities are identified, the group will work on defining a province-wide network to provide research support, training, education, and knowledge translation services. This network will help ensure that high-quality patient-oriented research is being conducted and the results are shared widely to improve health and health services. The long-term outcomes of patient-oriented research in Saskatchewan will be improved health care, improved health outcomes for those receiving care, and more cost-effective care for taxpayers.
For details on CIHR’s national Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) initiative, see CIHR’s website at http://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/41204.html
For information about Saskatchewan planning for SPOR, please contact Trina Richman-Monar at SHRF by calling (306)975-1680 or emailing trichman-monar@shrf.ca.
As we move forward on Saskatchewan’s Patient Oriented Research initiatives, we will post updates here.
