Health Research in Canada and You

Created in 2000, The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Canadian government's funding agency for health research and knowledge translation. Its mandate is to "excel...in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system". In other words, CIHR's goals are nothing less than to make Canada a leader in health research and to apply that knowledge to make Canadians healthier.

In order to accomplish this, however, CIHR knows that we must have a strong, open relationship with Canadians. There is a great deal that citizens can teach us, and we want to learn from people who are interested in health research. Their opinions and views can help CIHR achieve its goals.

Getting to know CIHR

What do we do?

As CIHR's mandate indicates, our activities are based around two key activities: the creation of health knowledge and its translation into improvements that can affect the health of Canadians.

We pursue these goals in several ways. To create the best new health knowledge, CIHR works with organizations from the public, private, and voluntary sectors from across Canada to fund top research projects. We also provide awards to the finest students and trainees across all areas of health research, helping them to become the health research and knowledge translation leaders of tomorrow.

Knowledge translation is the term chosen by CIHR to describe the ways that research can be applied to real life situations. It refers to turning research discoveries into action for health and socioeconomic benefits. Knowledge translation ensures that the results of our funded research are shared with Canadians in order to improve their health and our health care system. This means that the individuals and organizations who will use the research (sometimes called "non-academic knowledge users") can enjoy the benefits of research through a stronger health care system, better health services or products, and overall improved health.

Did you know that CIHR supports nearly 13,700 researchers and trainees in universities, training hospitals, and other health organizations and research centres in Canada.

How are we organized?

CIHR is comprised of 13 "virtual" Institutes, country-wide networks of researchers who share a similar focus. While these Institutes do not have a physical location at CIHR, they bring together like-minded researchers, health professionals, and policy-makers from across Canada. This network can include voluntary health organizations, provincial government agencies, international research organizations, industry, and patient groups.

Each Institute has a Scientific Director, who is advised on decisions concerning their unique research focuses by an Institute Advisory Board (IAB), which is composed of representatives from the research community, health practitioners, and Canadians in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Existing IABs are being restructured so as to better promote increased Institute collaboration and transversal thinking across the organization. The revised Institute Advisory Boards will be designed to include strong representation across clusters of three or four Institutes. IABs will continue to report to the CIHR Governing Council. Ultimately, this Council and CIHR itself, reports to Parliament through the Minister of Health.

You will notice that some of CIHR's Institutes focus on populations, while others focus on disease and health conditions, stages of life, and one on health services and policy. CIHR's 13 Institutes are:

  • Aboriginal People's Health
  • Aging
  • Cancer Research
  • Circulatory and Respiratory Health
  • Gender and Health
  • Genetics
  • Health Services and Policy Research
  • Human Development, Child and Youth Health
  • Infection and Immunity
  • Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
  • Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction
  • Nutrition, Metabolism, and Diabetes
  • Population and Public Health

Health Research and CIHR

What kind of research does CIHR fund?

Health researchers aim to increase our knowledge of health, disease, and health services, and to then apply that knowledge to help people lead healthier lives. CIHR separates their research into four distinct research themes.

1. Biomedical

This type of research studies normal and abnormal human function from the level of cells and molecules all the way up to the whole body. Basic biomedical researchers do their work in a laboratory using test tubes, cell samples, microscopes, chemical analysis, and other applicable tools or methods.

Examples of disciplines that conduct this kind of research: Microbiology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Medicine (including specialities such as oncology and cardiology).

Research in action

The study, "Molecular Mechanisms of Lung Cancer Development in Former Smokers," will look at the difference between airway cells of ex-smokers with and without lung cancer. It will also examine the DNA sequence of these regions in lung tumors of ex-smokers to find out why they develop lung cancer.

2. Clinical

A clinical trial is a research study involving patients (and sometimes health people too). It may involve researchers asking questions, taking blood and tissue samples, or checking the progress of patients as they take a treatment according to a trial's protocol. Clinical research involving participants often has inclusion criteria, conditions that dictate who can be recruited or enrolled in a particular study. The best study design to evaluate effectiveness of drugs, medical devices, and practices is known as the randomized controlled trial (RCT). An RCT is an experiment in which investigators randomly assign eligible participants into groups to receive (or to not receive) one or more treatments that are being compared.

Examples of disciplines that conduct this kind of research: Kinesiology, Medicine, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Biostatistics, Clinical, Epidemiology.

Research in action

The 4-year study, "Health Outcomes of Low Vitamin D in Toddlers," will follow a selected group of children during their doctor's visits. The aim is to find the links between low Vitamin D levels and their risk for getting asthma, respiratory infections, obesity or high blood pressure later on in life.

3. Health systems & services

This type of research seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health professionals (such as doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists) and the health care system itself through changes to practice and policy. Health services researchers often use surveys, focus groups, randomized controlled trials, and comparisons of data from health records and other sources in their studies.

Examples of disciplines that conduct this kind of research: Health Economics, Public and Health Administration, Political Sciences, Sociology, Geography, Anthropology.

Research in action

"The Impact of a Resident Work Schedule Change on Patient Safety" is a study of health systems and services. Its goal is to assess the effect that reducing long work shifts for residents (new doctors working under the supervision of more experienced practitioners) has on patient safety.

4. Social, cultural, environmental and population health

This research works to enhance the health of the Canadian population (or of sub-populations, such as those from a particular region or ethnic group) by understanding how social, cultural, environmental, work-related, and economic factors affect people's health. It also involves the evaluation of certain health interventions such as the effect of tobacco control programs on populations.

Population health researchers often use case studies, cohort studies (studying similar groups of people), or observation methods to do their research.

Examples of disciplines that conduct this kind of research: Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Humanities, Law, Philosophy, Nutrition, Public and Population Health, Epidemiology.

Research in action

The study, "Food insecurity among Inuit women in Igloolik, Nunavut: The role of climate change and multiple socio-economic stresses" looks at why women in Igloolik and other northern communities report higher levels of food insecurity (lack of food during certain times). Using a community participatory approach, this research will identify and describe why this is the case, while looking at socio-economic and environmental changes in the area.

Ethics in health research involving humans

CIHR-funded research that involves people must follow the ethical standards for research that are laid out in its Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. This policy states that research of this kind should be based on a fundamental moral commitment to protecting and advancing human welfare, knowledge, and understanding, while also examining cultural dynamics. The Policy contains Guiding Ethical Principles indicating that research should respect:

  • free and informed consent;
  • vulnerable persons;
  • privacy and confidentiality; and
  • justice and inclusiveness.

Ethical health research should always work to maximize benefits while minimizing harm.

How are health research applications evaluated and approved?

Applications for CIHR funding must be evaluated through a competitive process in order to receive a grant. CIHR uses two kinds of review in order to determine the quality and potential of a research application:

Peer review

Peer review is an internationally-accepted benchmark for ensuring quality and excellence in scientific research. CIHR's peer reviewers, who are researchers from all over Canada and around the world, discuss and rate applications for research funding. Their final recommendations help CIHR make its funding decisions.

Merit review

Merit review is another type of peer review used by CIHR. This evaluation is done by a committee of researchers and knowledge-users that assesses both the scientific value and potential impact of a project that engages knowledge-users.

Did you know that non-researchers can be included in the research process?

Integrated knowledge translation (iKT), which is related to collaborative and participatory (including community-based) research, can include patients, community organizations, and users of health services in the research process. When using an iKT approach, researchers and knowledge users work as a team to make decisions throughout the entire research process. This partnership allows the researchers to learn important information about the knowledge users’ expertise, views, values, and experiences, ensuring that the research results are relevant and accessible to those people who will eventually use the knowledge that is gained.

How we can work together?

What is citizen engagement?

Since 2007, CIHR has worked hard to establish clear ways for interested Canadians to participate in our work and in health research. We have launched a "Citizen Engagement Initiative" to create opportunities for people to get involved in a variety of ways. These participants (or "citizens") can range from interested representatives of the general public, consumers of health services, patients and caregivers, to advocates, voluntary health organizations, and even community representatives. When they come together during policy or program development, these interested parties can "engage" in the definition of issues, consideration of solutions, identification of priorities for action, and other activities.

In particular, CIHR's Citizen Engagement Framework, which guides our organization in moving forward with approaches that will meaningfully involve citizens, highlights four focus areas for the participation of Canadians interested in heath research. These are:

  1. membership on CIHR's boards and committees;
  2. input on corporate and institute strategic plans, policies and guidelines;
  3. research priority setting and integrated knowledge translation; and
  4. knowledge dissemination and public outreach.

Why is it important?

CIHR believes that the public can have a role to play in shaping health research. Citizens are "knowledge users," individuals or organizations who use, benefit from, or are otherwise affected by the results of research, even though they are not necessarily involved in its production. This means that they have an important role to play in the research cycle that goes beyond promoting health or participating in research. Citizens can comment on the usefulness of proposed research, help to identify missing elements, inform research priorities, and apply research findings.

Input from Canadians on decisions about research funding priorities is particularly important because:

  • the production of high quality research requires more involvement from knowledge users, including the citizen community, to ensure that the research being funded is relevant to the needs and values of Canadians;
  • those most affected and most familiar with the issues of health services should be involved in the research's ongoing development; and
  • feedback and involvement by the community and taxpayers is important for the accountability and the transparency of CIHR.

Health researchers and communities are recognizing the value of working together to study health issues that affect certain communities, such as homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and poverty. They are creating joint partnerships that lead to superior research, a better understanding of the affected community, and, ultimately, improved research results. Working together produces lasting solutions that benefit everyone, and citizens can play a critical role in this success.

How can I participate?

CIHR welcomes and encourages the involvement of everyone who has an interest in health research. In fact, we are working to provide more opportunities for citizens to participate in these four focus areas:

Membership on CIHR's boards and committees

This includes membership on CIHR advisory boards, standing committees, and ad-hoc committees related to new initiatives and programs. The citizen's perspective is important as it represents the views and values of Canadians potentially affected by health research and its application.

Input on corporate and institute strategic plans, policies, and guidelines

These opportunities include participating in the planning processes for the development of plans, priorities, policies, and guidelines for CIHR's Institutes. The inclusion of citizens in these processes allows CIHR to learn from their different knowledge, experience, and perspectives.

Did you know that CIHR produces a magazine-style publication called Show me the Evidence? Released twice a year, both in print and online, the publication features in-depth profiles of CIHR-funded projects that highlight the benefits of health research to Canadians.

Research priority setting and integrated knowledge translation

This focus area highlights the importance of creating and maintaining relationships between the public and CIHR's funded researchers. These relationships are beneficial to both groups because the feedback they generate can be used to decide if the proposed research is relevant, to see if anything is missing in the research, and to help decide on topics for future research. Being a part of the research process can empower communities and increase the scientific literacy of Canadians.

Knowledge dissemination and public outreach

CIHR strives to communicate about health research in a way that is engaging and easy-to-understand. We do so through a number of channels:

The Media

CIHR helps connect journalists with researchers. We also host workshops and webinars to help inform members of the media about popular health. In addition, we provide training for researchers to help them communicate effectively about their work.

CIHR Publications

CIHR publications, such as Show me the Evidence, feature easy-to-read profiles of CIHR-funded projects.

Social Media

CIHR has cultivated a strong social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

How can I learn more?

If you are interested in learning more about participating in CIHR’s citizen and patient engagement activities, the following list will give you some idea of how you can connect with us and help us make Canadians healthier.

Get involved!

Serve on ad-hoc committees or advisory groups for specific initiatives or guidance. From time to time, CIHR needs people to participate in these activities, and you may contact cpe@cihr-irsc.gc.ca to express your interest in learning more about such opportunities, when they arise.

Get connected to the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR)

Patient-oriented research focuses on patient-identified priorities. It produces information for decision makers and health care providers that will improve health care practices, therapies, and policies. And it ensures that new and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are applied when and where needed.

Find out about how patients can play a meaningful role in the development of high-quality, relevant health research and translating it into clinical practice and health policy. Send us an email at spor-srap@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Stay in touch!

Please contact us for more information on the various activities and find out how you can participate at CIHR. Even with a small commitment, Canadian citizens can affect research directions and ensure that funded studies are relevant to the needs of Canadians.

Citizen and Patient Engagement: cpe@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Follow us through social media!

CIHR's Communications and Public Outreach Branch has created Health Research in Canada, Show me the Evidence, Facebook pages, a CIHR Twitter feed and YouTube channel and a LinkedIn account. Sign up and receive the latest information about our activities and research. Stay informed, stay connected.

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