Understanding how a SUPPORT Unit can help BC
22 April 2013

In a parallel process to the consultation activities underway to support the BC health research strategy, MSFHR is facilitating the development of a support unit in BC — called the Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials (SUPPORT) Unit — that will make it easier for health-care providers, health-care decision-makers and researchers to conduct patient-oriented research.
SUPPORT Units are a component of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and includes matching funding from CIHR to enable their operations. Jurisdictions that want to participate in SUPPORT Units need to submit a business plan to CIHR.
SUPPORT Units are intended to be regional centres of excellence that can stimulate, facilitate, support and enhance the conduct of patient-oriented research. Several units are planned across the country, including one that serves BC.
CIHR envisions six core functions for SUPPORT Units:
- Data platforms and services
- Consultation and research services
- Career development in methods and health services research
- Real-world clinical trials
- Health systems, knowledge translation and implementation
- Methods support and development
Members of the SPOR SUPPORT Unit planning team will be meeting with various stakeholders, including health system leaders, researchers, and patient group representatives to gain a better understanding of how a SUPPORT Unit would best enable more patient-oriented research in BC. Input from these discussions will inform a call for expressions of interest to identify teams who can help develop the SUPPORT Unit business plan.
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