A St. Boniface Hospital Research team has received funding to develop a SPOR (Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research) network. The SPOR Network in Diabetes and Its Related Complications is intended to transform the health outcomes of people with diabetes and its related complications by facilitating important and meaningful connections between patients, their primary healthcare providers, and specialists to achieve improved health care and significant cost savings within the health system. Principal Investigators for the network include Dr. Paul Fernyhough, Director, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, and Dr. Jon McGavock of the University of Manitoba.
The funding announcement was made by Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen earlier today. Manitoba networks received a combined total of $10.1 million including $3.1 million in provincial funding through Research Manitoba, $6 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and an additional $1 million from local research partners.
“This type of research is unique in that it engages patients in all aspects of study and ensures results are relevant to the priorities that they have identified,” said Pedersen. “By working together and investing in these networks, we are helping Manitoba’s research institutions create the innovative solutions needed to support patients across this province and beyond.”
Pedersen noted these four Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) projects connect researchers, health professionals, patients and policy makers across the country to improve the health of Canadians living with chronic diseases.