Strategic Initiatives - About the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees

Q: What is the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees?
A: The BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees is a provincial database of BC health research expertise, with information about health researchers and trainees currently residing and working in British Columbia. The Directory was developed by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR), in partnership with Quebec's provincial health research foundation, Fonds de la Recherche en Sant� du Qu�bec. The Directory is managed by MSFHR.

Q: What is the URL for the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees?
A: The URL for the Directory is www.bchealthresearchers.org. The Directory can also be accessed through MSFHR's home page at www.msfhr.org.

Q: What is the purpose of the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees?
A: BC's health research community has identified the development of this Directory as an essential tool for identifying health research expertise throughout the province. The Directory can be used to locate BC-based researchers with specific research expertise and interests, and to facilitate networking between researchers. It is a resource for government and health authorities who seek research information, expertise and evidence to help guide their decision-making. More broadly, the Directory can be used as a tool for assessing the strengths, gaps and research needs within BC's health research community and point to initiatives to build BC's competitiveness for national and international funding.

Q: What is the data source for the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees? A: The data fields within the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees are populated by information within the Common CV, a web-based tool that allows Canadian-based researchers to manage their CV data in a single, secure, on-line repository.

In accordance with BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), BC-based researchers and trainees are asked to provide consent to allow MSFHR to use information from the Common CV to populate the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees.

Q: What information about BC health researchers and trainees is contained in the Directory?
A: The initial version of the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees provides contact details and displays information including training and credentials, areas of expertise, technological applications, research activities and publications. Read the Directory's Profile Sections for further details.

Q: How does MSFHR ensure that the Directory stays accurate and current?
A: The Common CV is a comprehensive resume of experience and achievements that must be regularly updated by researchers as a requirement of their university appointments and for application to research funding agencies. The Directory is updated whenever members of the Directory update their information within the Common CV.

Each researcher or trainee is individually responsible for the accuracy of his or her information within the Common CV, and within the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees. However, as a quality assurance measure, MSFHR staff members validate new entries and updates before the information is loaded onto the Directory.

Q: Who can join the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees?
A: All BC-based health researchers and trainees who register with the Common CV or update their information on the Common CV are invited to join the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees. This includes:

BC applicants to an MSFHR competition (NB: joining the Directory is not a requirement of application to MSFHR)
BC applicants to another Common CV member organization (e.g. CIHR)
BC researchers or trainees who are not currently applying for funding, but who are registering with the Common CV or updating their information because they wish to join the MSFHR Directory

Q: How do I get invited to join the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees?
A: Your primary affiliation address must be in BC to generate the invitation to the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees. This invitation can be found within the Common CV on the "Home - My CV" screen, in the section entitled "My Consent." See How to join the BC Directory (PDF).

Q: Previously, I declined the invitation within the Common CV to join the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees. How do I get invited to join the Directory if I have since changed my mind?
A: Log in to the Common CV. Click on the "My consent" link located in the "My file" section on the right hand side of your home page. Click on the button indicating your consent to be included in the Directory. See How to join the BC Directory (PDF).

Q: Do I need to notify MSFHR that I have registered to the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees?
A: No. Once you give your consent within the Common CV, MSFHR will be notified that you wish to join the BC Directory of Health Researchers and Trainees.

Q: How do I update my information in the Directory?
A: To make changes to your Directory profile, you must update your CV information within the Common CV. Further details about which Common CV fields are displayed in the Directory are available in Profile Sections.

Q: I have a question that is not answered here - whom should I contact?
A: Please contact MSFHR by e-mail or call 604.714.6609 (local calls) or toll-free at 1.866.673.4722 (ask for the Help Desk). Help Desk hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Pacific Time (excluding holidays).