Survey of CIHR-Funded Hepatitis C Researchers
CIHR conducts ongoing performance measurement of the Hepatitis C research program to assist with analysis, planning and reporting. An important component of this performance measurement is a survey of CIHR-funded Hepatitis C researchers.Methodology
- A survey of Hepatitis C researchers was conducted in the summer of 2001 and 2003.
- Participants included Hepatitis C researchers who were funded through the Hepatitis C program.
- 40 of 59 surveys were returned from researchers.
Results
Profile of Research Areas
The CIHR and the Health Canada Hepatitis C Disease Prevention, Community Based Support and Research Program have established a collaborative five-year program to fund scientifically meritorious projects, operating grants and personnel awards that will further our understanding of HCV infection and reduce the burden of Hepatitis C through the creation and use of knowledge. The results from the survey provide a snapshot into the broad scope of the research areas related to Hepatitis C (See Figure 1).
Figure 1: Percentage of researchers who have contributed to these research areas.
Knowledge Dissemination
Researchers were successful at disseminating their results through peer-reviewed publications (research papers), but also extended the scope of their work to include other forms such as presentations and abstracts; posters; invited lectures and registered patents/intellectual property (See Figure 2).
Figure 2: Knowledge dissemination activities in 1999-2002
Capacity Development
Hepatitis C researchers were also involved in training the next generation of scientist/practitioners. From 1999 to 2002 there were 65 research trainees involved in funded projects. Of those 65 research trainees, there were 6 in undergraduate studies, 45 in graduate studies and 14 post-doctoral fellows. Five salary awards allowed researchers to dedicate more of their time to Hepatitis C research.
Discussion
This survey suggests that there are measurable positive outcomes from the Hepatitis C program. The program appears to have been successful in stimulating research in areas related to understanding the virus, treating the disease and its sequella in individuals, understanding its modes of transmission, and access to care issues for some individuals with the disease. This initiative has fostered collaboration and synergistic efforts throughout the research community. The renewal of the Hepatitis C Initiative will facilitate and advance the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, generate more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system
Update
On behalf of the Health Canada/CIHR Research Initiative, CIHR administers $4,125,000/year (for 5 years) to fund meritorious research grants and awards across the entire spectrum of Hepatitis C research.
Distribution of Hepatitis C Research Funding
| Funding Streams |
Total Amount to Date |
|---|---|
|
Biology |
$ 5,997,440 |
|
Therapeutic Research |
$ 4,878,641 |
|
Clinical Treatment/Delivery of Care |
$ 1,602,133 |
|
Epidemiology |
$ 1,543,190 |
|
Prevention |
$ 726,081 |
|
Quality of Life |
$ 205,371 |
|
Capacity Building |
$ 3,103,734 |
|
Total Health Canada Commitment |
$ 12,007,352 |
|
Total CIHR Commitment |
$ 6,049,239 |
Hepatitis C Grants and Awards Receiving Funding from 1999-2003
56 Research Grants
1 Clinical Trial
15 Training Awards
5 Salary Awards
1 International Scientific Exchange Award
Health Canada/CIHR Joint Advisory Committee on Hepatitis C (JAC)
Objective: Determine Hepatitis C research priorities for CIHR
Lead Institute: Institute of Infection and Immunity
Membership: CIHR Institutes, researchers, community representatives and Health Canada