BC SUPPORT Unit
About us
The BC SUPPORT Unit is a provincial initiative that moves evidence developed with patients and communities into practice. We provide services to researchers, patients, policy makers, clinicians and health system leaders.
We’re founded under Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, a national initiative led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. We’re part of Michael Smith Health Research BC and we’re funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of BC.
Our goal
We bridge the gap between research evidence and health care practice.
Our work is grounded in equity, diversity and inclusion, sex- and gender-based analysis, and Indigenous health research ethics.
Our impact
We’re committed to improving health research. Now, we’re looking ahead to support big changes in the health system.
Find support
What services do you offer?
We offer consultation services for patient engagement, patient-oriented research (POR) and learning health systems (LHS).
Who are these services for?
Our services are available to anyone interested in POR or LHS in BC.
How do I request a service?
The BC SUPPORT Unit has teams based in the Fraser, Interior, Island, and Northern Health regions. If you or your work is based in one of these regions, please contact your local centre:
- northerncentre@healthresearchbc.ca
- interiorcentre@healthresearchbc.ca
- frasercentre@healthresearchbc.ca
- islandcentre@healthresearchbc.ca
If your or your work is located in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, or if it is provincial or national in scope, please contact: vancouvercentre@healthresearchbc.ca
I am a patient partner, person with lived experience or family member
Patient partners are people with personal experience of a health issue who participate in research. They can also be informal caregivers, including family and friends. Learn about opportunities on research teams.
I am a researcher or on a research team
Are you a researcher interested in working with patients to improve health care systems and practices? We provide services and resources to support your team.
I am part of a SPOR-Funded Entity
We are offering service on request from SPOR-Funded Entities, or SFEs. SFEs are networks and other organizations funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research to advance patient-oriented research.
I am a health system leader, policy maker, clinician or care provider
We provide support to teams working in the health system, whether they are providing direct care or developing health policy.
BC SUPPORT Unit Leadership
The BC SUPPORT Unit advisory council met between 2019 and 2023. The council provided governance and oversight to the BC SUPPORT Unit. Members represented patients, health care providers, researchers and health system decision-makers.
The advisory council concluded in 2024. The BC SUPPORT Unit is part of Michael Smith Health Research BC, and now reports to the Health Research BC board of directors.