National surveys indicate that seniors account for a growing number of new herbal users, with the majority reporting use of at least one herbal within the last year. A growing number of older adults are seeking treatments outside of conventional medicine, and in many cases, are not informing their primary physician of this use. Lack of communication with medical doctors, coupled with the fact that information sources about herbal medicines are not always credible, creates the potential for drug-herb interactions, poor or delayed treatment and misconceptions about the efficacy of herbals for health. Doctors tend not to refer their patients to herbal practitioners or prescribe herbal medicines. Consequently, seniors rely on other sources to get this information. Kristine Votova is investigating how older adults obtain information about herbal medicines from their social networks. Kristine is assessing how these connections influence a senior’s decision to use herbal medicines. For example, are seniors more likely to act on information from people they have strong or weak ties with? And what impact does the age, sex and health status of those providing information have on the prevalence, frequency and duration of herbal use? This research will explain how seniors exchange information about alternative treatments, and can be used to target public health messages about the safety of these products.
Research Pillar: Population Health
An interdisciplinary research program for evidence-based public health interventions and policy for illicit drugs in BC and Canada
The use of illicit drugs in Canada is associated with substantial, widespread consequences, including high rates of death and health complications among users, and significant social and economic costs to society. Canada has traditionally addressed illicit drug use with law enforcement measures, with prevention and treatment measures playing a secondary role. Recent efforts to reform Canadian drug policy go hand-in-hand with a strong need for expanded research to support the development of effective and evidence-based intervention programs and public health policies. Dr. Benedikt Fischer is examining how to develop more effective public health-oriented prevention, treatment and policy options to reduce the harms of illicit drug use. His research focuses on five main areas: street drug use monitoring; opioid treatment programs; prevention and treatment for hepatitis C among illicit drug users; cannabis control reform; and criminal justice interventions for drug offenders. Dr. Fischer is integrating basic, clinical and social health research and working in collaboration with researchers from across Canada, with an emphasis on issues of national relevance as well as those specific to British Columbia.
The Canadian healthy resident – healthy patient study
Research has shown that physicians with healthy personal habits are more likely to encourage patients to adopt such habits. This suggests that improving the health of physicians may, in turn, contribute to improved health of patients. Dr. Erica Frank is leading the ‘Canadian Healthy Resident–Healthy Patient’ study which is examining the link between physician health and patient health. Using a survey questionnaire, Dr. Frank is collecting personal and clinical information from medical residents nationally. These data will form the basis for development of interventions to improve the personal and clinical health practices of health professionals in training and practice. Dr. Frank’s study will then pilot those interventions in BC, and disseminate the results nationally and globally. Results from this research hold promise for informing policies and programs involving healthcare providers and communities.
Parents of children with cancer: a study of factors related to their psychological wellbeing
A diagnosis of cancer not only affects the patient, it also greatly affects the family caregivers. The physical and emotional effects of caring for a loved one with cancer can be devastating, with fatigue and burn-out a frequent occurrence. Dr. Anne Klassen is studying factors affecting the wellbeing of parent caregivers of children with cancer, with a specific interest in the direct and indirect relationships and supports that may contribute to differences in psychological wellbeing among these parents. Her study is recruiting a population-based sample, from British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario, of approximately 500 families with children in active treatment for cancer. She is collecting data on a comprehensive set of factors, including background and context variables; child characteristics; caregiver strain; caregiver self-perception; coping factors and psychological wellbeing. Results from Dr. Klassen’s research will further the understanding of why some parents are able to cope with caring for a child with cancer while others cannot. Ultimately this research will help with earlier recognition of families at risk and the development of preventive or other strategies to better meet their needs, for the benefit of children, parents and families.
Evaluating socioeconomic status differences in patient preferences for asthma therapy using discrete choice experimentation
Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting Canadians. Despite the availability of effective therapies and guidelines on how to manage asthma appropriately, poorly controlled asthma remains a significant health issue, with morbidity (complications) and death rates continuing to increase both in Canada, and worldwide. Dr. Larry Lynd’s previous research identified that asthmatics of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have poorly controlled asthma. Building on his previous work, Dr. Lynd is now studying the factors that may be contributing to these differences, using a novel methodology called Discrete Choice Experimentation, originally developed for market research. Study participants complete a questionnaire which is designed to determine their individual preferences for different aspects of asthma management. The questionnaire asks questions related to areas such as avoiding side effects, realizing a benefit from drug therapy, and how much individuals are willing to pay to achieve these outcomes. By comparing this data with their socioeconomic information, Dr. Lynd hopes to determine if there are differences between individual’s preferences are based on their levels of education and household income. The results of this study will provide further insight into some of the factors that may be contributing to poorly controlled asthma, which in turn will contribute to the development of specific programs and interventions aimed at improving asthma control and outcomes. This study is one component of Dr. Lynd’s broader research program involving the development and application of new methods for therapeutic risk-benefit analysis.
BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network
The BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network (BCEOHRN) is a provincial network that creates new efficiencies, partnerships and opportunities in the area of environmental and occupation health research. The network aims to improve the health of people affected by occupational and environmental risks by training, attracting and retaining top quality environmental and occupation health researchers. It aims to remove obstacles that arise from diversity of researcher needs, locations, expertise and topics by increasing common resources and shared opportunities within the environmental and occupation health research community.
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BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network
The BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network bridges basic, clinical, population health, and social/behavioural science domains and all target populations of mental health and addictions. It aims to meet the research community’s needs for greater collaboration and partnerships, increased research capacity, enhanced linkages between academic researchers and health authorities, and more nurturing and support for clinician researchers and young investigators.
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BC Network for Aging Research
The BC Network for Aging Research (BCNAR) brings together disciplines, research streams, institutions, community based organizations and health regions with an interest in aging research. The network has four dynamic themes within which it addresses the current needs and challenges of aging research in British Columbia: bridging, knowledge exchange, embracing frontiers and mentoring.
BC Rural and Remote Health Research Network
The BC Rural and Remote Health Research Network (BCRRHRN) intends to increase the investigation of issues relevant to improvements in the health of rural and remote communities from biomedical, clinical, health services and population health perspectives. The Network encourages the development of rural health research capacity among multidisciplinary teams, based in the experience and characteristics of rural and remote regions and with an emphasis on creating and nurturing academic-community partnerships.
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BC Child and Youth Health Research Network
The BC Child and Youth Health Research Network provides an infrastructure to lead and harmonize the children and youth health research agenda in BC. Through coordinating and leading emergent research, the aim is to develop an evidence base for programs and policies that promote resilience and positive development for children and youth and ultimately improve their health and well-being.
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