Approximately 15–25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage; however, actual numbers are unknown in Canada. In addition, data for various other pregnancy losses (e.g., ectopic pregnancies) is currently not disseminated in British Columbia (BC). As a result, services have not been developed to meet the growing population’s need for integrated health care following pregnancy loss. This project will identify health system improvements to more accurately reflect BC’s pregnancy loss rates and the health care needs of patients and families. The project has three phases: (1) an evaluation of pregnancy loss data in BC, (2) conversations with patient partners and health care providers, and (3) the co-development of pregnancy loss care resources, alongside patient partners and health care providers, for use within the provincial health authorities. This C2 application is for Phases 1 and 2 of the project. The team will convene and collaborate with patient partners and health care providers to review pregnancy loss rates in BC and identify critically needed pregnancy loss resources and future research priorities—a critical step to designing pregnancy loss care services that meet the needs of BC’s growing and diverse populations.
Research Location: Royal Roads University
Prioritizing Steps to address oncofertility and supportive care needs with young adults identifying as men in BC
The purpose of this project is to work together with a group of young adults with cancer who identify as men in BC to better understand their experiences seeking support for cancer related infertility and achieving other life-stage specific milestones. In a recent review of research exploring reproductive concerns in cancer survivors, Dong et al. (2023), highlights that studies focus on women cancer patients, with relatively less attention given to those who identify as men, including those who are racialized and those who identify as trans-gender men, creating a lack of support for them when confronting the risk of cancer-related infertility and other life-stage specific challenges. Guided by participatory action and patient-oriented research, we will host two workshops over 12 months, one virtual and the other in-person, with young men (ages 15-39). Our aim: understanding their views on fertility;infertility, support-seeking experiences, and co-establishing a research agenda;communication strategy to challenge cultural and gender stereotypes in oncofertility and supportive care and enhance engagement of men in research and the co-development of programming.
Leadership and Health System Re-Design
The purpose of this initiative is to develop leadership capacity in the Canadian health care system. This will be done by identifying and addressing gaps in applied research and practical knowledge within and between the researcher and decision-maker communities. These individuals will be brought together as networks so they can better understand and learn from each other. The networks (one national and five regional nodes) will carry out research on how to identify and apply the qualities of effective leadership in regional settings across Canada and how to adapt the knowledge learned into professional development and degree programs offered in those regions.