Oct. 2, 2024 (Ottawa) – Based on ideas from its Vice Presidents of Health Research and Emerging Health Research Institute committees, and input from other leading researchers throughout the Canadian health research ecosystem, HealthCareCAN has developed a new national vision for health research to ensure Canadian health research is world-leading and helps improve health outcomes for people across the country.
“Crisis has become the defining term of Canada’s healthcare system, but HealthCareCAN and our members believe strongly that our nation can build a robust health research and innovation ecosystem that will turn crisis into an opportunity to improve health outcomes for all Canadians,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, HealthCareCAN President and CEO. “That is why we have developed a comprehensive new vision for health research to marshal and guide action.”
HealthCareCAN’s National Vision to Transform Health Research in Canada contains a robust set of recommendations and actions under four key objectives:
- Establish Canada as a global research and innovation hub
Canada must elevate its commitment to research and development by increasing spending on research and development to match other G7 countries’ average by 2030. Canada must provide leadership in health research and innovation by strategically allocating funds to health systems to support research, encouraging international partnerships, and tackling pressing global issues.
- Accelerate the Generation of New Knowledge through Innovative Research
Canada must use research methodologies that incorporate social determinants, environmental influences, and people-centred care. Through the integration of cutting-edge technologies, Canada will lead in the global health research and innovation landscape, promoting accessibility, affordability, and excellence in healthcare delivery.
- Empower a diverse and sustainable research workforce
Canada must support early-career researchers and cultivate future talent through initiatives that attract, train, and retain scientists, biomedical and clinician scientists, community health researchers, and health system investigators to ensure a diverse and sustainable research community.
- Revolutionize health outcomes through innovative adoption, translation and implementation of research
Canada must prioritize the expansion of public-private partnerships between all levels of government, health providers, academic institutions, and industry players. By nurturing existing partnerships and cultivating new ones, Canada will harness the collective expertise of clinicians, patients and caregivers, cross-disciplinary researchers, and industry to accelerate the pace of innovation.
“The federal government must recognize that increased and sustained federal support is the critical element that will ensure Canada is able to fulfill its potential as a leader in health research and innovation on the global stage,” said Dr. Robert McMaster, HealthCareCAN Board Chair and Vice Dean, Research at the UBC Faculty of Medicine. “Our nation’s health researchers want to uncover discoveries that improve health outcomes, not worry about whether or not they can keep the lights on in their labs.”
A detailed, forward-looking and action-oriented document, HealthCareCAN’s National Vision to Transform Health Research in Canada underscores the need for strategic investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and robust partnerships to strengthen health research in Canada and revolutionize health outcomes. The vision also stresses the need for greater strategic action to integrate Indigenous-led health research and collaboration, empower a diverse and sustainable research workforce, and accelerate the translation of research into impactful solutions.
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About HealthCareCAN:
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of action for hospitals, health authorities, healthcare and health research organizations across Canada. We advocate in support of health research and innovation; to enhance access to high-quality health services for Canadians; and we empower health professionals through our best-in-class learning programs.
Media contact:
Alexandria Rowe
Communications and Member Services Specialist
arowe@healthcarecan.ca
855-236-0213/613-241-8005 ext. 221
