Dr. Holly Graham-Marrs and Dr. Joyce Davison Awarded SHRF Establishment Grants
The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) Establishment Grant Program is intended to assist university faculty who are new or newly resident in Saskatchewan in establishing independent health research programs within the province and achieving the research productivity necessary for obtaining major funding from national and other external agencies.
Please join the College of Nursing in congratulating Dr. Holly Graham-Marrs and Dr. Joyce Davison on their 2012-2013 SHRF Establishment Grant success.
Dr. Holly Graham-Marrs' research study is titled Restoring Indigenous miyo-mahcihoyān (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) well-being. Co-investigators on the study include Dr. Vivian Ramsden and Dr. Peter Butt, both from the Department of Family Medicine. Indigenous peoples do not have the same health status as other Canadians, and these health disparities contribute to increased costs and have an impact on the quality of life for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. This study using community-based participatory research processes will guide the development, implementation and evaluation of a community-based program designed to facilitate empowerment; thus, improving the health and well-being within the Thunderchild First Nation. By collaboratively developing, implementing and evaluating a community based program with the Plains Cree people of the Thunderchild First Nation, researchers hope to add to evidence-informed strategies and processes that facilitate empowerment in and with First Nation communities. When asked about the new research study, Dr. Holly Graham-Marrs said, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to engage my community in a research project using Participatory Processes and Transformative Action Research. The Chief and Council of the Thunderchild First Nation are also very pleased, excited for this project to begin and voiced that this research project supports their community vision, mīyo wīcihitotān, "let's work together in a good way"."
Dr. Joyce Davison's research study, Profiling Patient's Preferences to Facilitate Treatment Decision Making in Men Newly Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, will be co-investigated with Dr. Carl Gutwin (Department of Computer Sciences), Dr. Michael Szafron (School of Public Health) and Dr. Kishore Visvanathan (Department of Surgery). This study aims to improve the treatment decision making experience of men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. An internet-based decision support program will be used by patients to produce a summary page identifying their personal preferences regarding the degree to which they want to participate in treatment decision making with their physician, the type and amount of information they wish to access and the factors influencing their decision. Patients will be instructed to share this information with health care professionals at all treatment discussions. This innovative research project will help this group of men make treatment decisions consistent with their personal preferences and values. "I am very excited to receive this research grant and work with the co-investigators on this innovative project. We are looking forward to using online technology with patients to help them make treatment decisions based on their values and preferences. Our team looks forward to translating the results of this study into the care of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients at both the local and national levels", said Dr. Joyce Davison when asked about the project.
For more information on the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and the above grants, please click here.