Newly Launched Centre Hosts Day Focused on Patient-Oriented Research in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, May 16 -- The University of Saskatchewan issued the following news release:

The newly launched Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR), headquartered at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S), will host a one-day research profile event on Wednesday, May 17 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.

The event is designed to connect people interested in patient-oriented research and to highlight SCPOR's role in this important work provincially and nationally. The event, entitled Share the Vision: A Day to Learn and Connect, will run from 9 am to 4 pm.

"SCPOR places patients at the centre of the research so they can work collaboratively with researchers, clinicians, policy makers and others on solutions that will positively impact care for all Saskatchewan people," said Helen Kenyon, SCPOR executive director. "This exciting inaugural event will feature presentations on patient perspectives, Indigenous engagement in patient-oriented research, growing ideas into funded research, and more."

"SCPOR is a partnership of health system and academic organizations focused on providing a stronger scientific basis for policy and practice changes within areas prioritized for improvement by the health system," said Dr. Gary Teare, CEO of the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council and co-chair of SCPOR Host Council.

"The Share the Vision day will connect patients and researchers in Saskatchewan and showcase the exciting patient-oriented research work that is currently underway, as well as highlight future opportunities," said Dr. Preston Smith, dean of the College of Medicine at the U of S and co-chair of SCPOR Host Council.

The Share the Vision keynote address will be delivered at 10:45 am by Simon Denegri, a visiting speaker from England. Denegri is the chair of INVOLVE and is also the national director for Public Participation and Engagement in Research at the U.K.'s National Institute for Health Research. INVOLVE was established in 1996 and is funded by the National Institute for Health Research to support public involvement in National Health Service, public health, and social care research.

The Share the Vision day will also include a presentation about Indigenous engagement in patient-oriented research at 12:40 pm, followed by a presentation on patient perspectives at 1 pm and a Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) session at 1:55 pm.

"The goal of our session is to connect patients, caregivers and researchers, helping them grow their ideas into funded research," said Patrick Odnokon, Director of Impact & Evaluation and interim CEO of SHRF. "SHRF is excited to be part of this inaugural event to share the vision of patient-oriented research in Saskatchewan."

SCPOR was developed under Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) with support from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, as well as provincial organizations that provide funds and in-kind contributions. These Saskatchewan organizations include: University of Saskatchewan, eHealth Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, Ministry of Health, Saskatoon Health Region, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic. SPOR is a national initiative led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) that is focused on ensuring the right patient receives the right intervention at the right time.

SCPOR was officially launched on April 18, 2017 when Canada's Minister of Health, Jane Philpott, and Saskatchewan's Minister of Health, Jim Reiter, announced a combined investment of $63 million in funding and in-kind contributions for the centre. SCPOR's current focus is on mental health and addictions, in line with federal and provincial health priorities.

SCPOR is one of 11 provincial/territorial units led by CIHR to build provincial and national capacity for patient-oriented research. It is unique in that it has a specialized unit dedicated to improving Indigenous health outcomes in Saskatchewan. For more information about SCPOR, visit scpor.ca.