Grant: SPOR Network in Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovations - Manitoba

This proposal describes the first step in developing a research network as part of the CIHR SPOR initiative: 'Network in Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovations'. The Manitoba SPOR Network (MSN) is designed to conduct research and implement new practices to help individuals with high and complex care needs through their lifespan. The MSN will work with other research networks across Canada, in a combined effort, to deliver research for individuals, across all age groups (from children to older adults), but focusing on those with the greatest use of the system. The MSN will have three leaders, one having extensive experience in bridging groups to help change the health system (Thomson), one delivering primary care and collaborating with front line physicians (Buchel), and a leading primary healthcare and health services researcher (Katz). In addition, the MSN has strong links to four of the Community Based Primary HealthCare Innovation Teams funded by CIHR with one of the teams being led by Dr Katz. The planned MSN membership will have many clinicians, policy makers, researchers who represent different clinical and research specialties, government departments, health regions, and community organizations. The MSN initial membership has expertise in many areas including: health services research, and policy innovation; healthcare delivery across the primary care spectrum; and public health and government policy and relations. The MSN will be embedded within the George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation which houses the CIHR funded SPOR SUPPORT Unit. The Manitoba SUPPORT Unit has several services that the MSN will use during its creation. The MSN will develop a governance structure that includes many groups working together including patients, which will provide the opportunity to work toward goals with significant and sustained impact on the health of the population.