SHRF's final Research Connections call for the 2022-23 year is funding several important health research projects in Saskatchewan. From building relationships with Indigenous hemodialysis patients to developing an app that administers mental health supports to women struggling with infertility, these knowledge mobilization initiatives are ensuring that research is informed by, and connected with, the communities it stands to benefit.
SHRF is thrilled to be supporting another round of exceptional knowledge mobilization projects in Saskatchewan. These projects will help ensure that the hard work of Saskatchewan researchers has the opportunity for impact on healthcare practice and patient experience. - Patrick Odnokon, SHRF CEO
SHRF's Research Connections Grant aims to increase health research relevance, usability and uptake by supporting short-term and targeted knowledge mobilization initiatives in Saskatchewan. These initiatives are designed to reach those who stand to integrate the findings in daily practice (ie., knowledge-users) or to benefit directly from the findings (ie., those with lived or living experience). The Research Connections Grant works to bridge the gap between health research findings and practice, therefore advancing the use and integration of knowledge, innovations and discoveries in Saskatchewan.
As part of SHRF's Connections Program, this funding prioritizes mobilization and alignment activities that take place or benefit those outside of academic settings.
These funded projects represent the third and final round of Research Connections Grants in 2022-23. SHRF is proud to fund nine projects through an investment of $80,399. This call concludes the 2022-23 Research Connections Grant, which supported a total of 18 projects through $156,152 in funding. Additional Research Connections funding above and beyond these totals targeted reconciliation activities and initiatives through our 2022-23 Truth & Action Grant.
2022-23 Research Connections Grant #3 Recipients
Amira Abdelrasoul | University of Saskatchewan Ahmed Shoker | University of Saskatchewan $3,385 Establishing Connections with Indigenous Hemodialysis Patients in Saskatchewan Towards Improved Patient Outcomes
Project Summary
This knowledge mobilization project aims to share research findings in the field of hemodialysis (HD) membranes outside of academic settings, with a particular focus on Indigenous HD patients in Saskatchewan. In doing so, these efforts aim to build close connections with Indigenous dialysis patients to support future research collaborations towards improved Indigenous patient outcomes.
Jorden Cummings | University of Saskatchewan $10,000
The RESOLVing Violence Podcast: Mobilizing Prairie Research on Violence & Abuse
Project Summary
This project will enable the production of the RESOLVing Violence Podcast - a knowledge mobilization series designed to communicate SK-based research on violence and abuse to service providers, organizations, people with lived experience and the general population. This podcast will also help showcase the work of Saskatchewan researchers internationally.
Jennifer Gordon | University of Regina $10,000 Launching a Mobile App Targeting Distress Related to Infertility
Project Summary
In follow-up to the development of a seven-week self-help program proven to improve the mental health of women experiencing infertility, this knowledge mobilization project aims to develop and launch a mobile app that will allow for free download of the program. In doing so, researchers will greatly increase access to this evidence-based infertility-specific mental health resource within Saskatchewan and across Canada.
Peter Hedlin | University of Saskatchewan Jennifer O'Brien | University of Saskatchewan $8,514 Reducing Delirium After Surgery in Saskatchewan: A Knowledge Sharing Study
Project Summary
With the goal of increasing the awareness and utilization of post-operative delirium prevention strategies amongst healthcare providers, decision-makers, patients and their families, this knowledge mobilization project will employ a series of targeted educational and outreach strategies. These outputs will include presentations by delirium experts, the preparation of educational videos, pamphlets and posters, and the production of a podcast episode.
Shela Hirani | University of Regina $10,000 Toolkit on Strategies to Promote, Protect and Support Breastfeeding Practices of Refugee Mothers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Project Summary
This knowledge mobilization project aims to co-create and disseminate a toolkit of strategies to promote, protect and support breastfeeding practices among refugee mothers with PTSD. Created in collaboration with knowledge-users and patient partners, this user-friendly toolkit will provide patient-oriented and evidence-based information for hospital and community-based settings across Saskatchewan.
Natasha Hubbard Murdoch | Saskatchewan Polytechnic Roslyn Compton | University of Saskatchewan $10,000 Encircling Older Adult Care: A Summit to Create Connections & Community for All Persons Caring with Older Adults
Project Summary
Addressing recruitment and retention challenges in the older-adult care workforce, family partners, undergraduate students, community members and researchers will host a summit titled 'Encircling Care', designed to celebrate and strengthen this community of healthcare professionals, older adults and their close ones. Desired outcomes include building capacity and connections to address challenges; bolstering recruitment and retention efforts to address staff shortages; raising awareness about the services and programs available to support older adult care; and promoting the sector as a specialized and valuable aspect of Saskatchewan's healthcare community.
Paulette Hunter | St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan $10,000 Developing a Website to Mobilize Knowledge in Support of Palliative and Continuing Care
Project Summary
This knowledge mobilization project aims to publicize the identity and work of St. Thomas More College's 'Care Collaboratory' - a student-led, user-centred, and solution-focused research group committed to improving healthcare. By creating a website to communicate the Care Collaboratory's identity, values, approach and work, this project aims to attract future team members, collaborators, and lived experience advisors.
Cameron Mang | University of Regina $10,000 Time for Action: Connecting People with Chronic Neurological Conditions to the Long-Term Benefits of Exercise
Project Summary
People living with chronic neurological conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury often do not participate in regular exercise even though it is known to have many benefits for health and quality of life. Through this project, researchers will host a round-table discussion series across Saskatchewan to create a provincial 'community of interest' and generate ideas about how exercise professionals can better support people living with neurological conditions. Researchers will then form an 'expert panel' that includes people with lived experience, exercise professionals, healthcare providers and researchers. With the panel, they will develop and publicly share an action plan to better support people with neurological conditions in realizing the many benefits of regular exercise.
Nathalie Reid | University of Regina Steffi Oberthier | University of Regina $8,500 Creating a Trauma-Integrated Practices (TIPs) Knowledge Mobilization Series for Child-Serving Sectors in Saskatchewan
Project Summary
As a creative knowledge mobilization initiative, drawing from the University of Regina's Child Trauma Research Centre's (CTRC) research program, this project aims to develop a series of print and digital resources that center trauma-integrated practices (TIPs) for practitioners in different child-serving sectors. This pilot project will also offer an accompanying training session for interested practitioners. The goal is to use this pilot to launch a major knowledge translation and mobilization initiative for the CTRC.
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is the provincial agency that funds, supports and promotes the impact of health research that matters to Saskatchewan. SHRF collaborates with stakeholders to contribute to the growth of a high-performing health system, culture of innovation and the improved health of citizens. These objectives are achieved by strengthening research capacity and competitiveness, increasing the investment in health research in Saskatchewan and aligning research with the needs of stakeholders.
Inquiries about SHRF's Research Connections Grant may be directed to Karen Tilsley, Director of Programs and Partnerships, at ktilsley@shrf.ca