Research Services

• Overview
• The Need for Research
• Clinical Trials - Helpful Information

• Health Promotion and Research Fund (HPRF) 2009
  
  HPRF 2009 deadline March 30, 2009
  

  • HPRF Guidelines 2009

  • HPRF 'Seed' Grant

  • HPRF Operating Grant

• Research Activity
• Moving Research Forward
• Research Services - Building the foundation for your future health care
• Research Services - What We Do
• Research Ethics Board
• Research Services - Who We Are
• Research Action Committee Report - September 2003

Overview:
Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation (AHSC) is a leader within New Brunswick for research, medical education, and patient care. Research, one of the core competencies of AHSC, is fully supported by the Board of Trustees and administration of the Corporation.

AHSC enjoys affiliations with the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) Clinical Trials Group, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), and other agencies, reflecting the credibility and quality of research undertaken. Through such affiliations, and in conjunction with pharmaceutical sponsors, we are involved in some of the best national and international research studies available.

The Need for Research:
At AHSC we believe that, “Research involving human subjects is premised on a fundamental moral commitment to advancing human welfare, knowledge and understanding, and to examine cultural dynamics” (TCPS, 1998, p.g.i.4). Research is also of paramount importance in recruiting and retaining high calibre medical staff and other healthcare professionals, and is crucial in maintaining accreditation as an institution involved in postgraduate medical education.

Clinical Trials - Helpful Information
To find out more about clinical trials, please click the links below, or visit the website of the Clinical Trials Division.

• What are Clinical Trials?
• Clinical Trials: Research and your health.

Research Activity:

More than 750 clinical trials and original research studies have been conducted within our Corporation by primary care physicians and specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals. Clinical areas of expertise and research activity include:

Moving Research Forward:
Participation in health and medical research has taken place within AHSC for at least 25 years, including original research and clinical trials research. Our research strategy is built on the knowledge that patient care is advanced and supported by education and research. But if AHSC is to fully realize its research potential, it is essential that the necessary research infrastructure be in place throughout the province, and that New Brunswick be represented as an organiser, cooperative, and cohesive unit.

Research Services - Building the foundation for your future health care:
Research Services conducts many activities. Each of these activities are essential to ensure patients have the opportunity to participate in research that meets national and international guidelines for ethical research that is safe, scientifically valid, and appropriate.

The Research Services office ensures that appropriate policies and procedures are established, and provides the infrastructure and administration required for investigators at AHSC. The office also monitors compliance with the various regulatory requirements of Health Canada, and other regulatory bodies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA.

These activities include assisting investigators in protocol development, submissions for grants, contract negotiations with pharmaceutical / device manufacturers and investigators, submissions to the Research Ethics Board, and education and support for research coordinators and investigators

Up to 100 research submissions have been received for processing and review in each of the years 1997 - 2001, which is over double the volume of 1995. As a result, the workload of Research Services has significantly increased. Providing administrative support to the Research Ethics Board has itself led to a 10-fold increase in workload, largely through the need to comply with regulations and guidelines that govern the monitoring, review, and response to adverse events (worldwide) and protocol amendments.

Research Services - What We Do:
Research Services, located in 5DN of the Saint John Regional Hospital, provides a full range of research support services for staff, physicians, and students by:

• providing information on sources of grant funding through agencies and private sector organizations
• promoting grant applications and contract proposals by AHSC personnel
• processing requests for research funds
• representing AHSC in negotiations between research sponsors and AHSC personnel

In addition, Research Services provides support to AHSC investigators and administration by:

• acting as a liaison between researchers and AHSC departments
• advising and setting policies and regulations which pertain to research
• maintaining records and statistics on research performed at AHSC
• participating in AHSC committees and task forces on research issues

Research Services also actively promotes research carried out at AHSC by:

• producing and distributing periodic communications
• assisting in the development and presentation of collaborative research ventures
• representing AHSC on industry, government and community bodies concerned with research policies and research administration
• acting as a liaison with industry, government and the general public on issues of research

Research Ethics Board:
The Research Ethics Board (REB) is a standing committee reporting through the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) to the Board of AHSC. The role of the REB is to protect the rights, well-being, and safety of research participants. This is achieved through evaluating the scientific, medical, and ethical merit of all research submissions made by investigators within Health Region 2 that impact any patient within the Region, monitoring the progress of each approved project, and satisfying regulatory aspects related to each study.

In performing its role, the REB is guided by appropriate guidelines and regulations, including:

• Declaration of Helsinki [2000],
• International Conference on Harmonization Good Clinical Practice Guidelines or ICH-GCP (promulgated by Health Canada [1997]),
• Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans [1998], and,
• Part C, Division 5 of the Food and Drug Regulations, Canada [2001]
• Additional regulations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations from the USA.

The REB meets at least monthly throughout the year, and enjoys the active support of dedicated volunteers from both AHSC and the community.

Research Services - Who We Are:

Websites:

• Declaration of Helsinki
• Tri Council Policy Statements
• FDA
• Division 5 Health Canada Regulations
• ICH-GCP

Last Modified:11.19.2007