The University of Waterloo and Grand River Hospital (GRH) have agreed to further develop their partnership and embark on promoting collaborative research under a joint research agenda.
To kick-start these collaborations, UWaterloo will be hosting a series of “meet-and-greet” events focused on various elements of the joint research agenda, so Waterloo faculty and GRH clinical staff have a chance to connect and explore potential research collaborations.
Further events focused on other topics within the joint agenda will be forthcoming.
The two institutions are implementing other processes and facilities to promote and support research collaborations, including:
- a research administrator on-site at GRH to help researchers navigate the hospital processes;
- bookable office space at the GRH main site and Freeport made available to researchers when they are on-site; and
- a joint ethics review process.
Information about these will be shared with faculty as we finalize details.
The Joint Research Agenda
Aging well and older adult care
Research that will enable earlier detection of health issues, improve diagnosis and treatment with the goal of improving health and well-being. The key themes are:
- clinical assessment and diagnostics that enable early detection/identification of risk factors for poor health outcomes;
- rehabilitation back to healthy living;
- nutrition;
- pain management;
- mental health/wellness; and
- social isolation/connections.
Innovation in health care delivery
With a focus on safer care environments, biomedical engineering innovations, digital information management, and electronic information systems. The key themes are:
- wearable technology to monitor patient condition and two-way communication;
- secure transfer of personal health information;
- visualization of data/information to support clinical decision-making;
- infection prevention and control;
- safer medication management; and
- falls prevention.
Cancer care
Continuing participation in clinical trials and innovations in cancer screening, diagnosis and radiation treatment, but with expansion to include a focus on prevention strategies and more effectively supporting people with cancer in their health care experience. The key themes are:
- measurement and improvement in patient-reported outcomes of their experience with care;
- continued investigation in clinical trials, earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer;
- proactive management of modifiable risk factors; and
- supportive interventions for patients and families from diagnosis to recovery/survivorship and/or end-of-life care.