Clinical research is an essential part of the academic practice of medicine in a tertiary care teaching hospital. As one of the main pillars of academic Health Centers, together with Education and Medical Practice, Research is a critical component of the Department of Pediatrics’ activities in the promotion of high quality evidence-based practice.
Research activities in the Department are under the direction of Dr. Jean-Paul Collet, Associate Head, Research, who is assisted by members of the Pediatric Research Committee and the Scholarly Activities Coordinator.
Faculty from the pediatric specialty divisions are invited each fall to speak to trainees about research themes in their division, with opportunities for trainee participation. Trainees are also offered opportunities for increased exposure to pediatric research through organized pediatric research laboratory tours. Residents who seek to undertake a research career, are encouraged to consider completing a Masters in Health Sciences at the UBC School of Population Public Health. This is a one year course-based program which includes one practicum. Residents are also encouraged to apply to the UBC Clinician Investigator Program (CIP).
The Pediatric Research Committee
The Pediatric Research Committee facilitates research in the Department with an emphasis on fostering research for pediatric trainees.
The goals are:
- To promote a research culture within the department for trainees, with opportunities for learning
- To make all appropriate decisions for successful implementation of the Research Curriculum
- To review and update periodically the Research Curriculum
- To develop and modify Terms of Reference for the Research Committee
The Pediatric Research Curriculum
The Pediatric Research Curriculum is part of a broader effort at our institution to develop excellence in pediatric practice through clinical research and practice audits while promoting interest in research and academic careers amongst pediatric trainees. The Pediatric Research Curriculum was established in 2007. The Research Committee oversees the Research Curriculum. The Associate Head, Research is the Research Curriculum and Activities Director and the Scholarly Activities Coordinator is the Research Curriculum & Activities Coordinator.
Purpose of the Pediatric Research Curriculum
Our overall objective is to continue to develop, implement and evaluate the research curriculum for pediatric trainees designed to improve research knowledge and skills.
Pediatric Research Curriculum Core Components
The Pediatric Research Curriculum includes three core components:
- The Pediatric Research Course
- The Residents’ Journal Club
- The Research Project
Core components are evaluated on an ongoing basis and summarized annually by the Research Committee. Any curriculum changes are implemented during the subsequent year, with identification of long-term goals and objectives.
Research at Divisions
For more information about the innovative research conducted within each division, visit the Divisions & Centres section.
TIDE-BC (http://www.tidebc.org/) is funded by the BCCH Foundation as the 'First Collaborative Area of Innovation', which aims to identify treatable causes of intellectual disability in children living in British Columbia and to provide individualized care to those affected along, with improved evidence for new and existing treatments.
Our CIHR & Genome-BC funded gene discovery program (http://www.omics2treat.org/) is a global collaboration which combines genomic and metabolomics technologies to identify new treatable conditions in intellectual disability. Drs. Sylvia Stockler and Clara van Karnebeek are the Principal Investigators leading a multi-disciplinary team to achieve these goals.
Drs. Sylvia Stockler and
Clara van Karnebeek