Clinical research, particularly in the hospital setting, allows investigators to make rigorous comparisons among new and current diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative approaches, ultimately providing evidence as to "best practice" to better inform evidence based medicine. More than any other branch of research, research in the clinical setting is where the most immediate and profound effects on human health and well-being are realized. On a global scale, the impact of clinical research has been integral to the development of life-saving vaccines, the discovery of effective disease treatments, and the evolution of health care from its most basic rudiments to the complex system that exists today.
The WHRI has enhanced the research environment and infrastructure at BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre through the provision of mentorship, methodology consultation, assistance with ethics applications, study management, research coordination, grants facilitation and the award of catalyst funding. With such support, a number of research projects have been facilitated.
* Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Evidence-Based Medicine: A New Approach to Teaching the Practice of Medicine. JAMA. 1992; 268(17): 2420-2425.
To date, WHRI has facilitated research in the following areas:
- Women's Health Centre
- Asian Women's Health Clinic (AWHC)
- CARE Program
- Diabetes Program
- Heart Program for Women
- Fir Square Combined Maternity Care Unit
- Oak Tree Clinic
- BC Women's Centre for Reproductive Health
- Perinatal Services BC
- Acute Perinatal/Postpartum
- Anaesthesia
- Birthing
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Medical Genetics
- Newborn Care
- Off-Site Studies
