Grant: Foundation Grant

<html> <body> <p> <strong>Overall Program of Research</strong> <br> The overarching goal of my research program is to create new knowledge in kidney transplantation and successfully translate it into practice to improve health outcomes for patients with end-stage renal failure. Specifically, my goal is to focus on issues important to the patient so that the research will be relevant and impactful. I will conduct a patient-centered research program focused on three major objectives:<br> <br> Objective 1: Optimize patient choice/selection to improve transplantation outcomes.<br> Objective 2: Improve the patient experience by reducing transplant-related complications.<br> Objective 3: Improve transplant practice by developing patient-centred quality/safety metrics<br> </p> <p> <em>Patient engagement</em> is a central theme to each objective. Outputs from this research will lead to improved quality, timeliness, appropriateness and effectiveness of transplantation practice in Canada and globally.<br> <br> <strong>Expertise</strong> <br> I have assembled a highly qualified, experienced team to successfully complete this program of research. Each has been chosen for specific expertise in <em>transplantation</em> (e.g. drug side effects, infections etc); <em>research methods</em> (e.g. patient engagement process, decision aids etc); commitment to <em>knowledge translation</em>/practice change; or as trainees dedicated to become independent researchers.<br> <br> I have put together a strong team of knowledge-users and partners who have committed over <strong>$1.8 million</strong> of cash and in-kind support to ensure the successful completion of the program objectives. As you will note in their letters, the proposed research is highly significant to their respective organizations. Partners include:<br> &middot; Canadian Society of Transplantation<br> &middot; Canadian Blood Services<br> &middot; Kidney Foundation of Canada<br> &middot; Ontario Renal Network<br> &middot; Trillium Gift of Life Network<br> &middot; Health Quality Ontario<br> &middot; Canadian National Transplant Research Program<br> &middot; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences<br> <br> <strong>Mentoring and Training</strong> <br> The mentorship and training program will be uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the mentees and trainees exposing them to a wide range of methodological and clinical experts. There will be a variety of clinical/methodological rounds, courses, workshops and formal research meetings for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Mentorship opportunities will be available to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows as well as young investigators. The specific goals of the program are to provide an energetic, dynamic environment for trainees to learn; provide trainees with the tools (e.g. grant writing, budgets etc) to become successful independent researchers; enhance national capacity in transplantation researchers; and provide sage guidance to ensure successful transition and early career launch.<br> <br> <strong>Impact</strong> <br> This is an ambitious research program focused squarely on the <u>patient</u>. Fulfilling the three objectives will have a major impact clinically and methodologically while building research capacity. Outputs will advance clinical knowledge; enhance methodological expertise improving the knowledge base for future transplantation research; train the next generation of transplant researchers; improve the quality and safety of transplantation practice; and improve health outcomes for kidney failure patients by the effective translation of new knowledge into practice. <strong><em>The impact of this research program will not be limited to Canada &ndash; the goals, objectives and outputs are generalizable to transplant patients worldwide.</em></strong> </p> </body> </html>