New research centre for Northern BC

Clinical research, which includes both clinical trials and observational studies, helps find new and better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat disease by involving volunteer participants in health research. Clinical trials help find the best options for patient care by studying the safety and effectiveness of new medical interventions, like a drug or medical device. In observational studies, researchers study participants receiving routine medical care to deepen understanding of health and disease and identify opportunities to improve health delivery.

The NCCR will provide regional clinicians, academic faculty and other rural health stakeholders, from the north as well as other parts of B.C., with a variety of supports, including assistance with research design, regulatory approvals, and project administration. The centre will also host a Rural Coordination Centre of BC research associate focused on research and evaluation of real time virtual support for clinicians working in rural communities.

The new centre will also offer research training opportunities and mentoring for students, healthcare workers, and up-and-coming health investigators.

“The Northern Centre for Clinical Research will enable us to answer clinical research questions from a northern, rural and Indigenous context,” says Dr. Paul Winwood, Assoc. VP, Division of Medical Sciences, UNBC and Regional Assoc. Dean, Northern BC, UBC Faculty of Medicine. “There has been very little clinical research done from this point of view. Through this initiative, the people of northern B.C. will have access to state-of-the-art research in terms of new therapies, investigations, and approaches to health care, including enhanced virtual care.”

by Cheryl Jahn

New research centre for Northern BC

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