Every year, PHC point-of-care staff have the opportunity to work with a mentor to develop a research proposal centered on their clinical practice through the Practice-Based Research Challenge.  From the teams who submitted letters of intent in January, 15 have gone through all stages of the program to stand on the stage for their project presentations in the hopes of securing funding.

On June 28, 2022 from 8 a.m to 11:00 a.m., join us virtually to hear from colleagues about the research projects they would like to tackle if they receive approval and funding.

Presenters will be proposing projects that span a wide spectrum of topics, from cultural safety in clinical practice to evaluating transitional care from complex cardiac surgery discharge to community. We’ve selected a few projects to give you a taste of the initiatives you can expect to hear about at the presentation event tomorrow!

The proposals – in their own words​

What are the barriers to SPH OPS? Exploring the perspectives of inpatients

Presenter: Naomi Watt, RN

Our research project will center the voices of those with lived experience of Substance Use Disorders. We want to focus on the ways in which barriers prevent them from accessing the Overdose Prevention Site – a critical tool of harm reduction at St. Paul’s Hospital. We are fortunate to partner with Peer Navigators in this research project to ensure that we carry out our research in a manner that upholds the dignity of those we seek to serve. It is our hope that the information shared with us will help shape the care we provide for those living with Substance Use Disorder(s).

Patient Mentorship Program in the Heart Transplant Clinic

Presenters: Josie Mackey, RN and Laura Carroll, SW

Patients within the heart transplant program at St. Paul’s Hospital can experience a difficult journey while being assessed and waiting for a heart transplant or having a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) in the interim. Currently there is a non-formal process for peer-mentorship support and what the heart transplant clinic has seen is that there is a benefit to connecting with peers who have had a VAD or heart transplant. Our goal is to have patients create a peer-mentorship program for patients in the heart transplant clinic with clinician guidance.

Exploring tools, resources and training approaches with PHC REB members: towards creating an inclusive, safe, and empowering environment for meaningful research collaborations with local sovereign First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and Indigenous scholars, and patients.

Presenters: Josephine Jung, Manager PHCRI and Lindsay Beck, Director Indigenous Wellness Team

The purpose of the study is to support Providence Research in their goal of “creating an inclusive, safe, and empowering environment for active and meaningful research collaborations with local sovereign First Nations, Indigenous organizations, and Indigenous scholars, and patients” by:

  1. Exploring the impact, usefulness, appropriateness and applicability of OCAPTM training for REB members at PHC.
  2. Creating a deeper understanding of additional tools and resources needed beyond OCAPTM training from an REB perspective, to advance ethical and effective research collaborations with Indigenous peoples. 

Improving Access to Diabetes Care: Evaluation of New Clinic Model to Maximize the Competencies of Certified Diabetes Educators (IMPACT-DC)

Presenter: Lisa Maks, RN

Optimal glycemic control is important especially in the early years after diagnosis to reduce the incidence and progression of microvascular complication and to reduce future CV outcomes. Our project will aim to improve patients’ access to diabetes care by maximizing the competencies of Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to improve timely access to care and excellent outcomes and experiences.

What’s next?

The presentations will be judged by a panel comprised of scientific and Patient and Family Partner reviewers. The winning teams will then be awarded up to $5000 in funding to conduct their research over an 18-month period, so stay tuned as we profile these incredible members of the PHC community as they continue on their research journey.

Want more information in the meantime? Checkout Professional Practice’s Research Challenge page or read more about one of the presenting teams.

Think you might like to participate in the program? Applications will open again in January 2023; stay up to date on Professional Practice’s Research Challenge page for all the details of how to apply.

The full program for the event has been posted online.

Questions? Please contac​​t:

Wilma Chang

email: wchang@providencehealth.bc.ca

phone: 604-806-9313

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