Building a robust foundation that will serve generations to come

The launch of the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit’s (OSSU’s) website signals an important step forward in our work to implement Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) here in Ontario. We are indeed fortunate to have the support and involvement of our lead Ontario ministries—the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Research and Innovation.

We are delighted to partner with our colleagues at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and in other provinces and territories, as we begin to transform the health research paradigm into a more inclusive process. This evolving framework will engage key stakeholders throughout the health sector—including patients—in new and meaningful ways to harness their expertise and perspectives to turn new, high quality knowledge and proven methodologies into evidence-informed policies and practices that will improve health outcomes and enhance our health system.

We are thrilled also to be working with so many high caliber individuals—academics, clinicians, patients, policy experts, system planners and key decision-makers, as well as industry representatives—to build patient-oriented research capacity throughout the province. I commend members of Ontario’s health community for coming together and contributing so generously to building an even more robust foundation for health research in Ontario, one that will serve generations to come. The work we will be undertaking together over the next five years will maximize significant investments already made by the Government of Ontario and CIHR.

Looking ahead, we look forward to working with many of you on the IMPACT Awards, OSSU’s new research funding competition announced this week.

Dr. Vasanthi Srinivasan
Executive Director
Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit