Summer has arrived and the BC-PHCRN has been diligently working on Research Ethics applications for a variety of new pan-Canadian research projects. We are excited to share these new developments in the autumn. In the meantime, please see our updates on new and ongoing research initiatives and the transition to the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium! We hope you have a lovely summer.
In This Update
- Pan-Canadian Primary Care Research Impact
- Introducing the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC)
- Research Activity Updates
- Recruitment: MAPLE-CHF (Multidisciplinary Approach for high-risk Patients Leading to Early diagnosis of Canadians with Heart Failure)
- Recruitment: SPIDER (Structured Process Informed by Data, Evidence and Research)
- Upcoming Research Project: OECD Patient Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS): Phase 2
- Upcoming Research Project: Pandemic pREparedness engaging Primary cARe and Emergency Departments (PREPARED)
- Quality Improvement and Learning Activities
- Partner Activities
- Subscribe to the BC-PHCRN Newsletter
Pan-Canadian Primary Care Research Impact
Our pan-Canadian parent network, the Canadian Primary Care Research Network, currently transitioning to the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (see below), recently gathered data on their partners and how they have shared research results across Canada. Between 2021 and 2024 they engaged 20 practice-based research and learning networks and through these, collaborated with 672 primary care clinics and 2,472 primary care providers and strengthened their pan-Canadian patient advisory committee.
Introducing the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC)
For those who have not heard, we’re excited to introduce the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC). The goal of the Consortium is to bring together the following entities: the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN), the Canadian Primary Care Trials Network (CPCTN), and the data platforms Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN) and Canadian Primary Care Information Network (CPIN), to collectively foster innovation, improve healthcare outcomes, and ensure research informs and enhances primary care practices nationwide. To guide development, the CPCRC has established an Advisory Board and Transition Team composed of leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and policy experts. These individuals bring diverse perspectives and expertise, ensuring that CPCRC remains responsive to the evolving needs of primary care research in Canada.
The CPCRC hosted several co-building sessions in April and May 2025 to seek input on a series of topics key to the development of the CPCRC, such as data and analytics, research and clinical trials, and patient partner engagement. Over 100 people attended across the different meetings. A summary of these sessions can be accessed here. As mentioned in the sessions, this is not the end. Co-building continues. More news on this transition will be released in the coming months.
Research Activity Updates
Recruitment: MAPLE-CHF (Multidisciplinary Approach for high-risk Patients Leading to Early diagnosis of Canadians with Heart Failure)
Led by Dr. Nathaniel Hawkins at UBC, MAPLE-CHF is the Canadian arm of SYMPHONY, an international randomized controlled trial screening for heart failure in the community. Patients at risk for heart failure are identified through their electronic health records and randomized to usual care or a screening strategy using natriuretic peptides and artificial intelligence echocardiography.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact project coordinator Andrea Chee at achee01@mail.ubc.ca
Recruitment: SPIDER (Structured Process Informed by Data, Evidence and Research)
SPIDER is a research and quality improvement collaboration supporting practices in improving care for complex older patients with polypharmacy. The pan-Canadian project focuses on the risk polypharmacy poses to older adults (aged 65 years and older on 10+ unique medications) and the impact it has on the health care system in Canada. The study uses a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of SPIDER compared to usual care in reducing potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs).
Recruitment of primary care practices for SPIDER is ongoing! If you are interested in participating, or to learn more about this study, please contact the Research Lead, Dr. Rubee Dev (rubee.dev@ubc.ca) or the Network Manager, Shelby Elkes (shelby.elkes@ubc.ca).
There is NO COST to you, and you will earn up to 16.5 MainPro+ credits. Please see the study website for more information.
Upcoming Research Project: OECD Patient Reported Indicator Surveys (PaRIS): Phase 2
Canada (via Health Canada) is interested in participating in the second cycle of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) PaRIS project. The Canadian Primary Care Research Network has been invite to lead Canada’s involvement. With PaRIS, countries work together to develop, standardize, and implement a new generation of indicators that measure the outcomes and experiences of healthcare that matter most to people. The PaRIS survey fills a critical gap in information about health system funding, by asking about aspects like coordination of care and trust, as well as quality of life, pain, physical functioning and psychological well-being. Learn more here: Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys | OECD
Upcoming Research Project: Pandemic pREparedness engaging Primary cARe and Emergency Departments (PREPARED)
The goal of this study is to enhance surveillance, improve care and health system efficiency, accelerate biomanufacturing of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, and facilitate patient linkage to clinical trials, thereby improving health system efficiency and pandemic preparedness. PREPARED aims to integrate a point-of-care multi-pathogen testing system into primary care clinics and emergency departments. The four interrelated objectives are to:
- Enhance surveillance – identify new viruses and detect future pandemics
- Improve patient care and health system efficiency – improve rapid testing for multiple viruses
- Accelerate the development of treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tests
- Facilitate linkage to trials – link patients to clinical trials
More details will be shared in the coming months.
Quality Improvement and Learning Activities
Best Brains Exchange | Team-based Primary Care: Learning how to evaluate the outcomes and implementation of team-based care
The Canadian Primary Care Research Network is proud to have partnered with Alberta Health Services, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Health Canada and CIHR to host a Best Brains Exchange (BBE) January 29-30, 2025, entitled Team-based Primary Care: Learning how to evaluate the outcomes and implementation of team-based care. The meeting brought together 66 researchers, health system partners, decision-makers, and patients, who gathered virtually for discussion and information-sharing. Participants engaged in open dialogue around the latest evidence and learnings to co-create a pan-Canadian common evaluation framework to assess the outcomes and implementation of team-based primary care. The aim of this exchange was to determine the core outcomes and domains by which to measure, evaluate, and monitor the implementation of team-based primary care in Canada. Read the short-form report here.
Partner Activities
OurCare Survey for Patients and Members of the Public
OurCare is based at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto and was conceived and executed in partnership with MASS LBP (an organization working to bridge the gap between citizens and governments). The OurCare project is conducting a new research survey, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association, to hear from people across Canada about their experiences with primary care and where we can make improvements. Visit ourcare.ca/survey to take the 10-15-minute survey.
Subscribe to the BC-PHCRN Newsletter
As always, we welcome you to share our newsletter with anyone in your community who may be interested in our research or events. We’re happy to connect with new members, and learn about your interests in public health, primary care or health research!
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