Advance research activity, knowledge transfer, and research outcomes for a positive transformation of the health system in British Columbia
A priority aligned with a transformative and inclusive learning health system is a positive impact of the research conducted across our 18 divisions. We are working together for greater impact and to ground ourselves as a responsive and sustainable organization. The key to accomplishing this is agility and adaptability to leading-edge technology that advances research activities and knowledge transfer across the continuum from discovery to translational research.
In addition to engaging with the Faculty of Medicine’s Academy of Translational Medicine, we dedicate ourselves to making an impact through research findings that advance our vision of a transformative and learning health system. We work together to address important questions of local and global relevance in health research and education—from discovery to Knowledge Transfer— healthcare needs and patient outcomes.
We will focus on addressing current barriers to research progress, which involves continuous quality improvement in all research areas, driving research innovation, creating a culture of connection and collaboration, and expanding and amplifying research. A vital part of this is building partnerships with the health authorities across B.C., reaffirming that research initiatives add value and improve patient care.
Goals
Advance fundamental, interdisciplinary & collaborative research, and research that addresses important health questions of local and global relevance
Committed to advancing fundamental, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research, we dedicate ourselves to addressing critical health inquiries locally and globally. Initiatives include enhancing research resources, promoting team science, and fostering collaborations.
Efforts are directed at integrating clinical and academic research infrastructure throughout the training continuum, facilitating collaboration among researchers and clinicians. We prioritize refining faculty training in leadership, research administration, and finance to foster career success and a culture of innovation.
We emphasize engagement and participation with partners and communities, ensuring research remains responsive to real-world needs. These efforts drive impactful research, addressing pressing health challenges and improving health outcomes for diverse populations in British Columbia.
Accelerate knowledge production, translation, and mobilization
We commit to knowledge production, translation, and mobilization to accelerate this goal to improve healthcare outcomes. Initiatives include enhancing education training to advance translational medicine and collaborating with the Advanced Therapeutics in Medicine (ATM) program.
Moreover, efforts focus on improving knowledge mobilization through strengthened partnerships with end-users. This involves developing and implementing a strategy for effective local and global partnerships, patient-oriented research, interdisciplinary collaborations, utilizing social media platforms for dissemination, and partnering with the First Nations Health Authority to support Indigenous health and research.
Additionally, the Department implements enhanced innovation programs to support commercial and clinical research applications, fostering the development of novel healthcare solutions. We thus bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into tangible benefits for patients and communities.
Enhance access to and management of clinical and research data to support the development of a learning health system and improve research impact
Our Data Science and Health (DASH) Cluster is building a system to link health research data in British Columbia to advance this goal. We will achieve this by enhancing the availability and use of health data to improve diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention. We will also enable computational tools that speed the discovery of new knowledge, optimizing health outcomes for all BC residents.
Increase diversity and research outputs towards advancing the health of underrepresented and marginalized groups
To advance the health of underrepresented and marginalized groups, we must integrate equitable principles into our research processes and outputs.
Initiatives include developing metrics to track diversity among chairs and departmental leadership over the past decade and ongoing, and to identify areas for improvement. Additionally, we participate in UBC’s Reconciliation Certificate Program to promote Indigenous health and cultural competency and host Annual Grand Rounds with recording sessions for accessibility.
We will continue to engage people and communities in research, with public and patient involvement in all aspects of the research process. Finally, we will work with the Education core area to critically examine the barriers that currently exist to engaging trainees from diverse and historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized populations.
Promote the training, retention, and support of Clinician Scientists
We strive to foster belonging, innovation, and excellence through a supportive environment for Clinician Scientists.
To expand our ways of thinking and innovating, we aim to reflect the diversity across our organization and build a sense of belonging. Based on existing models, initiatives include establishing clear definitions and expectations for various streams, such as clinician-scientist, clinician-investigator, clinician-educator, and clinician-administrator.
Additionally, we will direct efforts toward providing valuable insights into the roles and contributions of our Clinician Scientists, and our initiatives aim to foster a supportive environment, facilitating their development and retention. This will enable achieving excellence in their fields, contributing to medical research and practice advancements.
The Department is working to ensure a robust pipeline of skilled Clinician Scientists capable of addressing current and future healthcare challenges.
Transforming Health Together: 2023-2027 is the strategic plan for UBC’s Department of Medicine
Special thanks to all the faculty, staff, students, trainees, and partners across the province who have contributed to the development of this plan.