A decade of patient-oriented research in the Maritimes
NOVA SCOTIA— The month of June marks the 10th Anniversary for the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU), an organization dedicated to improving the health of all people living in the Maritimes through research that matters most to patients. The MSSU was launched in 2013 as one of 11 units formed by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) to help researchers meaningfully engage patients, their caregivers, and families as partners in the research process. In its first decade, the MSSU has attracted, trained, and mentored hundreds of new patient-oriented researchers, delivered impactful research that will improve health care and strengthened relationships between patients and researchers. Reflecting on 10 years of progress, MSSU Nominated Principal Investigator Dr. David Anderson said, “We have achieved this milestone through the hard work and dedication of our employees, researchers, Patient/Public Partners, and entire network of partners throughout the Maritimes. I am proud of what we have accomplished over the last decade, and I look forward to the important work that lies ahead.” This month, staff from all five sites of the MSSU will gather in Moncton, NB to honour the past, embrace the present and shape the future of the MSSU. “We are excited to work together with our provincial partners to address patient-supported priorities with a critical focus on equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Marina Hamilton, MSSU Executive Director. “The future is bright for patient-oriented health research in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.” To learn more about patient-oriented research and how it shapes health care in the Maritimes, read our Report to Community.
Quick Facts
- “SUPPORT” stands for “Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials.” SPOR SUPPORT Units are a collaboration between the federal government and the provinces and territories. SUPPORT Units provide specialized services throughout their regions to researchers, patients, clinicians, policy makers and SPOR-funded entities to conduct patient-oriented research.
- The MSSU is the only SPOR unit operating in more than one province, with staff located within local partner organizations in all three Maritime provinces
- Each SUPPORT Unit works in partnership with data platforms to ensure researchers have access to quality data.
- In 2022, the MSSU received $16.1M in funding and in-kind contributions from the Government of Canada and the provincial governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island to support patient-oriented research
About the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU)
The Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) is the driving force behind patients as partners in health research across the Maritimes. MSSU collaborates with patients (caregivers and families), researchers, health service providers, and policy makers facilitate patient-oriented research that addresses Maritime health priorities. Formed in 2013, the MSSU is jointly funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) and the provincial governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The MSSU operates in five sites across the Maritimes, with more than 50 staff and 40 Patient/Public Partners. Each year the unit responds to about 400 requests for support. For more information, visit www.mssu.ca