Section of Researchers
Who we are
The Section of Researchers (SOR) was founded in 1995 and has since grown to more than 3,100 members, at different stages in their researcher career. The section aspires to continue to improve the health of the people of Canada through research and quality improvement.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Section of Researchers (SOR) addresses research at the CFPC. Members include family physician and associate members of the CFPC.
We are clinicians and researchers who support each other and share our experiences at the CFPC’s Family Medicine Forum, at other conferences, and through publications. We learn from each other and aspire to improve the health of our patients through research and innovation in family medicine and quality improvement (QI). We are passionate about our work.
The SOR is governed by the SOR Council, which includes representatives from diverse groups associated with family medicine research. They are respected leaders in their fields and committed to the continuous improvement of family medicine.
Vision
Leading family medicine, improving lives.
The SOR embraces the College vision and mission. The SOR contributes to the mission and vision by building the research capacity and capability of family medicine and primary health care through leadership, education, and advocacy.
Join Us!
The SOR welcomes new members! Whether you’re in your early career or a seasoned physician, the SOR has something for everyone. CFPC Members and Associate Members are welcome to join the SOR at no additional cost. Contact us at [email protected].
Associate membership is available to other health professionals or others who work in collaboration with family physicians or academic departments of family medicine. Please visit the membership section of the CFPC website to learn more about becoming a member.
Past Chair
Dr. Vivian R Ramsden
Chair
Dr. Lee GreenMembers
Dr. Alan Katz, Chair, Action Group for Advocacy in Research (AGAR)
Dr. Donna Manca, Chair, Practice Based Learning and Research Networks (PBLRN) Action Group
Dr. Stefan Grzybowski, Chair, Family Medicine Forum Research Committee
Dr. Eva Grunfeld, Chair, Honours and Awards in Research Committee
Dr. Robert Petrella, Departments of Family Medicine Chairs Representative
Tom Vansaghi, Executive Director, NAPCRG
Dr. Ginetta Salvalaggio, Research Director Chairs Representative
Dr. Marie-Eve Poitras, Associate Members Representative
Dr. Shelley Ross, Education Researchers Representative
Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis, Academic Family Physicians Representative
Dr. Anna Chavlovski, Community Physicians Representative
Mr. Augustine Okoh, Graduate Students Representative
Dr. Sian Tsuei, PhD Community Physicians Representative
Dr. Veronica McKinney, Indigenous Member
Section of Researchers (SOR) action groups
To accomplish tasks and activities outlined in the blueprint, the SOR Council created these action groups:-
Action Group for Advocacy in Research (AGAR)
The objectives of AGAR are to establish the Section of Researchers as a leader in the collective voice of primary health care research groups, to support family medicine and primary health care research funding, thereby increasing the public awareness of the importance of family medicine research. Moreover, AGAR advocates for increased funding of family medicine and primary health care research.
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Family Medicine Forum Research Committee (FMF-RC)
The FMF-RC is responsible for coordinating all the associated research events at the annual Family Medicine Forum, such as planning the schedule, reviewing and accepting the abstracts, evaluating the events, and publishing the proceedings.
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Practice Based Learning and Research Networks (PBLRN) Action Group
PBRNs are groups of primary care clinicians and practices working together to answer community-based health care questions and translate research findings into practice. PBRNs engage clinicians in quality improvement activities and an evidence-based culture in primary care practice to improve the health of all.
To learn more about the Section of Researchers Council, how to join, or join one the action groups, contact the SOR.
What's new
Exploring Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Practical considerations
The Section of Researchers recognizes that there is a need to more actively address issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in primary care research. This session at the Family Medicine Forum will explore ways to better understand how EDI issues impact research and researchers in family medicine/primary care. Please join us as panelists share their knowledge and experience and discuss strategies to advance EDI in family medicine/primary care research.
Creating a Stronger Base for Health Care Innovation
The College of Family Physicians of Canada continues to promote the critical importance of research in primary care. Read about our current advocacy efforts related to Canadian Institutes of Health Research funding and the need to enhance support for primary, home, and community health care research to improve the health of everyone in Canada.
Proposal for a CIHR institute of integrated primary, home, and community health care
Despite the critical importance of primary, home, and community care to the health of everyone in Canada, less than 3 per cent of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) funding goes to primary care. In addition, most of this is time-limited strategic funding that will end soon.
The creation of an integrated primary, home, and community health care institute as part of the CIHR would position Canada as a leader in these research areas. It would also strengthen the capacity of these sectors to respond to future and emerging health care needs and challenges.
Please read and share the proposal provided here.
The Section of Researchers’ (SOR’s) Blueprint for Family Medicine Research Success 2.0 (2018-2023)
Section of Researchers
The Section of Researchers (SOR) is the section of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) that represents members who have an interest in primary care research in Canada. Members include family physicians, residents, medical students, and researchers from different professions and background, includes early-, mid-, and senior-career researchers.
Resources
Section of Researchers Blueprint 2 (2018-2023)
The Section of Researchers’ Blueprint 2 (2018–2023) builds on the successes of the first Blueprint (2012–2017), and it encompasses the following four strategic priority areas to guide the SOR’s strategic direction:
Membership
Growing the membership base and increasing awareness of primary care research and the SOR among family physicians, residents, and primary care colleagues remain strategic priorities. This priority area focusses on increasing the added value of membership in the SOR.
Capacity Building
This priority area encourages engagement in research activities earlier in members’ careers, promotes research and the use of data for research and quality improvement (QI) at a practice level, and advances large data research.
Advocacy
The focus of this priority area is to strengthen advocacy for increased funding and infrastructure for family medicine research and QI. The SOR will also continue earlier work conducted for ensuring access to EMR data to support QI and research at the practice level.
Partnerships
Primary care research is a collaborative effort. This priority area focusses on strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new links, which support many of the other Blueprint objectives.
Blueprint 2 provides a useful, membership-driven strategic plan for the SOR. Implementing the objectives promotes research and QI, and nutures a culture of curiosity.
