Canada's Minister of Health to fund 25 policy-relevant research projects across six provinces

In support of the Government of Canada's commitment to strengthening Canada's healthcare system, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced today funding for 25 policy-relevant research projects across six provinces.

"Our government is committed to continuously improving healthcare and health systems for Canadians," said Minister Aglukkaq. "These projects will enable meaningful collaborations between researchers and decision makers who will be able to use the results of the research to address health system challenges. Their important work will help ensure Canadians have access to the best possible healthcare."

The projects are funded through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)'s Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI) program, which supports teams of researchers and decision makers conducting applied and policy-relevant health systems and services research that responds to the needs of health care decision makers and strengthens the Canadian health system. The Government of Canada is providing $8.1 million to support the 25 projects. Partners from across Canada are providing an additional $2.1 million, for a total of $10.2 million. The projects were selected through a rigorous, independent, peer-review process.

Of the 25 research projects, three will be led by physician-researchers at the University of Calgary. Dr. David Johnson will develop a clinical pathway across Alberta to help guide clinicians in caring for children with chronic and acute asthma. Dr. Braden Manns will evaluate the impact of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) on the care and outcome of people with diabetes. Dr. Tom Stelfox will develop a patient and family-centered approach for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of trauma care. These three Alberta projects are co-funded by Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions.

"A funding program based on partnership like PHSI offers Canada's health-system decision makers evidence-based answers to pressing health system questions," said Dr. Robyn Tamblyn, Scientific Director for CIHR's Institute of Health Services and Policy Research. "This knowledge translation will in turn benefit Canadians by improving the quality and delivery of healthcare and Canadian health systems."