by Sarah Kasleder for SHRF
Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is excited to announce over $59,990 in funding dedicated to knowledge mobilization activities in Saskatchewan via the SHRF 2023-24 Mobilize Grant, Call #2.
"Congratulations to the recipients of the SHRF 2023-24 Mobilize Grant, Call #2. This funding represents our commitment to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and its practical application in communities across Saskatchewan. Each of these innovative projects reflects the spirit of collaboration and community engagement and will be instrumental in driving meaningful change to improve the health and well-being of Saskatchewan residents." Patrick Odnokon, CEO SHRF
Connections Program: The Connections Program supports health research activities in Saskatchewan that reach outside of academic settings. Funded activities promote knowledge mobilization and alignment across the province, addressing the gap between knowledge generation and knowledge integration. The Connections Program funds short-term and targeted research activities in Saskatchewan. Connections Program applications are reviewed by SHRF staff and external reviewers and embrace applications that include community organizations.
Mobilize Grant: The Mobilize Grant aims to fund projects with the goal of connecting people in Saskatchewan to health research and evidence they can use. This grant strives to increase research relevance, usability, and uptake by sharing and mobilizing knowledge in accessible and meaningful ways. The Mobilize Grant provides successful applicants up to $10,000 over a one-year term.
SHRF is proud to fund six knowledge mobilization projects through the second call of our Mobilize Grant, for a total investment of $59,990 and $125,427 in the 2023-24 year.
Recipients
Empowering Health Networks: A Two-Day Event for Team-Based Care Innovation
Adrienne Danyliw, Saskatchewan Health Authority
Patricia Comfort, Saskatchewan Health Authority
$10,000
Adrienne Danyliw and Patricia Comfort from the Saskatchewan Health Authority are leading a project that involves a two-day knowledge mobilization event for health leaders, physicians and community partners involved in team-based health care in the province. This event is part of a larger team-based care strategy, where Health Networks allow the Saskatchewan Health Authority to better organize services and resources to deliver more reliable and consistent team‐based care as close to home as possible. The event will provide an opportunity to learn, connect and share best practice and evidence for team-based care. This will include a knowledge transfer showcase of projects that are using innovative and promising practices and learning workshops to develop their Health Networks for team-based care.
Bridging Gaps: Advancing Abortion Care Access and Equity in Saskatchewan
Rachel Gough, Saskatoon Community Clinic
Rena Sutherland
Lise Kouri
$10,000
Access to abortion services varies widely across provinces, particularly outside major urban centers. In Saskatchewan, access to surgical abortions is limited to hospitals in Saskatoon and Regina, with only Regina offering self-referral services. Medical abortion services have expanded across the province since Mifegymiso's approval, particularly after it became free in 2019 for Saskatchewan residents. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted innovative approaches to virtual abortion care, with organizations exploring "no-touch" and "low-touch" models, prioritizing safety and accessibility. This project, led by Rachel Gough and Rena Sutherland, aims to improve access to reproductive health care, especially for rural and northern communities, while addressing cultural and relational harms, particularly among Indigenous and minority groups. Previous work identified opportunities for virtual abortion care in Saskatchewan that will be shared with healthcare providers across the province, and a database/abortion care map will be created to streamline access to services.
Research to Enhance Agency, Coordination, and Togetherness: Translating Applied Prosocial Science for Societal Impact
Jorden Cummings, University of Saskatchewan
$9,990
The REACT (Research to Enhance Agency, Coordination, and Togetherness) transdisciplinary research cluster, led by Jorden Cummings from the University of Saskatchewan, brings together scholars in cognitive neuroscience, theatre, dance, psychotherapy, cardiovascular health, pediatric psychopathology, family relations, and pain. Each team member's research addresses critical aspects of interpersonal coordination and social behaviour with positive social benefits or prosocial connections. In 2018, SSHRC and Policy Horizons Canada identified "The Emerging Asocial Society" as one of 16 future global challenges due to social trends indicating lost opportunities to coordinate with others. This was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The REACT team will build collaborations for cross-disciplinary research and knowledge-creation projects that can significantly advance our understanding of how prosocial connection can enhance human health and wellbeing.
Building for the Future: Improving On-Reserve Housing for Better Health Outcomes in Saskatchewan (miyo waskahikan (Beautiful Homes) Compendiums)
Shelley Kirychuk, University of Saskatchewan
Wanda Martin, University of Saskatchewan
Lori Bradford, University of Saskatchewan
Kerry McPhedran, University of Saskatchewan
$10,000
Housing is critically important for the health of occupants. For residents on-reserve in Saskatchewan, research has shown a clear link between house factors (e.g. mould, crowding, mildew and musty smell, house in need of repairs) and health outcomes. Community-driven and team evidence-based findings outline the importance of managing on-reserve housing portfolios as a critical step in addressing housing inadequacies and disparities to resident health. Building on community-driven conversations and using a strength-based perspective, a Symposium, "Building for the Future," in November 2023, laid out the next steps to support health through housing. Participants requested that the work to date and community examples of good practices to support the complex housing portfolio be developed further and shared back, in an accessible way, with communities. The team, such as Shelley Kirychuk, Wanda Martin, Lori Bradford, and Kerry McPhedran from the University of Saskatchewan - alongside the community, is developing compendiums to organize, collate and share information and successful practices in a practical and useful way for communities.
Co-developing a Virtual Care Community Prioritization Tool for Rural and Remote Saskatchewan Communities
Amal Khan, University of Saskatchewan
Ivar Mendez, University of Saskatchewan
Scott Adams, University of Saskatchewan
$10,000
Rural and remote communities in Saskatchewan often face pronounced healthcare disparities due to limited access to healthcare services and geographical isolation. These health-related disparities are particularly pronounced in remote Indigenous communities. In response to these challenges, our team has pioneered the use of advanced virtual care technology as a strategic solution to bridging these gaps, enhancing equitable access to care and offering a means to deliver culturally safe healthcare services remotely. Several key factors, including community clinical needs, technological infrastructure, human resources, and clinical workflows, must be carefully considered to support the efficient, effective, and culturally safe scale-up of virtual care services across Saskatchewan Indigenous communities. There is a critical need for a tool to support communities in implementing virtual care services in the future. The proposed project, led by Amal Khan, Ivar Mendez, and Scott Adams, aims to co-develop a Virtual Care Community Prioritization Tool with First Nations and Métis community and governmental representatives and Elders/Knowledge Holders to support the efficient, effective, and culturally safe scale-up of virtual care services across Saskatchewan’s Indigenous communities.
RecoverED: A Journey to Eating Disorder Recovery Documentary
Carla Chabot, BridgePoint Center For Eating Disorders
$10,000
Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of all mental illnesses, yet there are still gaps in awareness and support for individuals in Saskatchewan affected by eating disorders. Eating Disorders are as diverse as the people they affect, including people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, abilities, body shapes and sizes and income levels. This project, led by Carla Chabot from BridgePoint Center for Eating Disorder Recovery, will create a documentary called “RecoverED” to raise awareness and eliminate stigma by capturing and sharing compelling interviews and personal stories from ten individuals on the recovery journey. This initiative will enhance prevention and education efforts, serving as an awareness and education campaign to improve understanding of our program, spark courageous conversations about eating disorders, and encourage its utilization by those who need it. "RecoverED" will also serve as a valuable tool for professionals in Saskatchewan to educate, feel comfortable considering diagnosis and talking about disordered eating, and break the stigma surrounding eating disorders.
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