BC Primary Health Care Research Network

Pandemic pREparedness engaging Primary cARe and Emergency Departments (PREPARED)

BC: Rubee Dev, Srinivas Murthy

What is the full title of this project?

Pandemic pREparedness engaging Primary cARe and Emergency Departments (PREPARED): Enhance surveillance, improve care and health system efficiency, accelerate biomanufacturing of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, and facilitate linkage to clinical trials.

Please describe your research project and how it contributes to improving primary care

Pandemics such as SARS, COVID-19, H1N1 and the Mpox outbreak have shown that Canada’s public health system needs to improve responses to future health emergencies. PREPARED is a shield that will protect Canada against future pandemics. The initiative aims to:

  1. Enhance surveillance;
  2. Improve patient care and health system efficiency;
  3. Accelerate the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics; and
  4. Facilitate linkage to trials.

Through these aims, the BC-PHCRN will partner with primary care clinics to routinely collect samples from patients with respiratory symptoms as well as provide opportunities for patients to participate in research, access new treatments and contribute to knowledge advancement.

How is BC-PHCRN involved?

PREPARED engages with 16 primary care practice-based research networks collectively serving >2.5 million patients and emergency departments in six provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Québec). The BC-PHCRN is leading the initiative in BC and collaborating with other provinces involved with the CPCRN.

How will the results of this initiative be shared with stakeholder groups (i.e. clinicians, policy makers, patients)?

The BC-PHCRN regularly meets with BC Ministry of Health representatives where opportunities to share progress and connect with other provincial or national health organizations interested in the work will be sought after. Our Network will also share progress with our clinical and patient partner advisory committees, and through these collaborations determine how best to share with Network communities. This project is also part of a pan-Canadian initiative that will endeavor to share results through national, international publications and conferences.

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