BC SUPPORT Unit Information

Part of Michael Smith Health Research BC, the BC SUPPORT (Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials) Unit supports, streamlines and increases patient-oriented research throughout BC. Patient-oriented research is done in partnership with patients, answers research questions that matter to patients, and aims to improve health care. The Unit is one of several SUPPORT Units established across the country as part of Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Along with partner organizations, a Provincial Hub based in Vancouver serves stakeholders within the Vancouver region and provides province-wide services. Four additional regional centres (Fraser Centre, Interior Centre, Northern Centre and Vancouver Island Centre) are the first point of contact for stakeholders located outside of the Vancouver region. Services include providing services to researchers, patients, health care providers and health system decision makers, and facilitating initiatives identified as provincial priorities.