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Nov 29, 2016

Vice-Chair, Research, Column: Research Update

Cardiology, Clinical Immunology & Allergy, Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Division of Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Faculty, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, General Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Hematology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Oncology, Nephrology, Neurology, Occupational Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Research, Respirology, Rheumatology
Michael Farkouh
By

Michael Farkouh

Michael Farkouh
When I assumed the Vice-Chair, Research, role in the Department of Medicine one year ago, I was incredibly impressed with the breadth of talent in our department. We have world renowned scientists and investigators who are at the forefront of discovery. In this edition of DoM Matters I am pleased to update you on some of the important platforms spearheaded by the DoM Research Committee.

The Phillipson Scholars Programs: Clinician –Scientist Training Program and Clinician-Educator Program

We have the distinction of having some of North America’s most developed clinician-scientist (CS) and clinician-educator (CE) training programs. Under the leadership of Robert Chen (CSTP) and Shiphra Ginsburg (CETP), we have over 20 trainees enrolled in our programs, all of whom have mentors who are leaders in their respective fields. These programs will serve as a pipeline for the next generation of scientists and educators as they launch their academic careers. The current funding environment is challenging so we believe that a head start is the only strategy to prepare for a career as an independent researcher or educator.

Networks

As I compared our landscape to the top international centres, I was struck with the knowledge that our greatest strength is our potential to work across divisions and disciplines to tackle the biggest challenges in chronic disease management as we carve out a unique and ground-breaking path. On the heels of a few rounds of highly successful Challenge Grants, it became obvious that we were on the cusp of a transformational model of interdisciplinary, cross-university collaboration. From this, the concept of networks across the Department of Medicine was born. This network concept is based on collaborations, centred on a theme with high public health impact:

  1. Involvement of scientist/investigators across pillars from the basic and translational sciences through to outcomes and quality initiatives;
  2. Engagement of faculty across two or more institutions or hospital systems; and
  3. Partnerships that involve at least two divisions and at least one other Faculty.

The goal is to create a platform to attract peer-reviewed funding and philanthropy. The seed funding provided by the DoM will allow for pilot data and initiatives to be launched. After three years we expect that the networks will be self-sustaining and a nidus for national and international collaboration.

In this edition of DoM Matters we highlight the HIV Network led by Rupert Kaul and his colleagues. This network was initiated after a retreat of major stakeholders and has already generated multiple program projects across the University.

Here are the various research networks that have been established or are in development:

  • HIV Network – led by Dr. Rupert Kaul
  • Stroke Network– led by Drs. Rick Swartz, Moira Kapral and David Gladstone
  • CARDIA – Led by Drs. Bindee Kuriya and Jay Udell
  • Critical Care: Illness Continuum – led by Dr. Margaret Herridge
  • Infectious Global Health Threats – led by Drs. Kamran Khan and Isaac Bogoch

Improving Efficiencies in Conducting Research

Traditionally, we have experienced obstacles in research ethics, grants and contracts that have led to delays in getting research started in the Department of Medicine. Together with the TAHSN hospitals we have streamlined the process for ethics approval for initiatives across more than one institution. To date, over 10 proposals have received University–wide approval and resulted in significant reductions in the time to ethics approval.  The next hurdle is improving the time to contracting. We hope to report on a streamlined process in the months to come.

Engagement of Patients and Clinician Teachers/Educators

The DoM is home to amazing clinical faculty who have been involved in recruiting patients and who are responsible for engaging our patients in research.

We have been successful in the department to have been awarded both a provincial SPOR (Doug Lee and the COACH trial) and National SPOR (Gary Lewis and The Diabetes Action Canada) that involve engagement of our patients in the research process. In the Department of Medicine, our goal is to foster close lines of communication between the clinicians and our research networks to create an environment of learning and discovery. We are developing ways to recognize our clinician-teachers and educators from faculty promotion to involvement in publications and symposia where our research is highlighted.

We are poised for an exciting 2017 and look forward to reaching out to all of our faculty and trainees in the department as you are all an integral part of our research efforts.