CENTRE FOR HEALTH EVALUATION & OUTCOME SCIENCES
Connecting the dots between research and the real world
Annual Report 2021–2022
2021:
Rising to the Challenge
As we marked a second year of global disruption due to the ongoing pandemic, the CHÉOS community worked tirelessly through change and uncertainty, contributing to worldwide efforts to combat COVID-19 while ensuring that all areas of our world-class research centre were supported and fostered.
Out of the most challenging times, a renewed sense of purpose arises. CHÉOS is growing with new minds, bold ideas, and expanding collaborations. We are dedicated to answering the big health questions of today, while anticipating the answers the world will need tomorrow. There are countless ways to improve the health of our system and our population that have yet to be discovered.
Thank you to all of our partners who are with us on this journey, as we continue to rise to the challenge, uncovering new ways of doing and knowing, and strive to advance health outcomes for all.
About the Centre
WHAT WE DO
The Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences (CHÉOS) conducts high-quality research to inform changes to the health care system. As a collaboration between cross-disciplinary scientists, clinicians, and expert research staff, we bridge the gap between data, research, and care to evaluate the effectiveness of health interventions at the population level to improve health outcomes for all.
Established in 1998, the Centre is jointly affiliated with Providence Research and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Medicine, and is housed in a teaching and research hospital in the heart of Vancouver, Canada.
WHO WE ARE
Our Vision
Bridging evidence and care to transform the health system and improve health outcomes for all.
Our Mission
Through interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship of emerging health researchers, we produce and translate high-quality evidence that informs health care from the individual to the system level.
Our Values
COLLABORATION: We forge meaningful partnerships with researchers, health care professionals, people with lived experience, community-based organizations, and system-level decision-makers.
ORGANIZATIONAL INTEGRITY: We strive to uphold the highest principles for the conduct of research that is designed to improve the well-being of all people.
SCIENTIFIC RIGOR: We identify and address relevant and meaningful research questions from many perspectives through the rigorous application of appropriate and innovative scientific methods at all stages of research.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION: We are dedicated to the promotion and practice of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and in the research that we conduct.
RESEARCH SNAPSHOT
Our investigators are at the forefront of major areas of health research; many have clinical appointments and include Canada Research Chairs, MSFHR Scholars, and CIHR Investigators.
$24M+
in total funding held by CHÉOS Scientists in 2021/2022*
*From UBC RiSE, includes only CHÉOS Scientists at UBC, as well as those appointed after March 31, 2022
$10M+
in new CIHR, SSHRC, MSFHR, PHAC, Health Canada, and NIH grant funds awarded to CHÉOS Scientists as principal applicants in 2021/2022
Our People
This year, we welcomed several new CHÉOS Scientists and Research Associates to diversify our expertise into new areas of health research.
Understanding the impacts of COVID-19
Our scientists continue to innovate in an environment permanently altered by COVID-19 by addressing pandemic-related challenges affecting patients, decision-makers, and care providers.
Tracking & linking workplace hazards to prevent chronic disease
Dr. Mieke Koehoorn works to track and link workplace hazards to prevent chronic disease and shares why COVID-19 outbreaks happened in some unexpected areas.
Tackling the global mental health crisis by scaling up accessibility
Dr. Daniel Vigo discusses the significance of combining the support provided by community peers with digital tools to help tackle the global mental health crisis.
The resourcefulness of communities and the increasing availability of digital tools are helping to overcome barriers to accessing much-needed mental health resources.
How technology is improving long-term care
Keeping families connected with technology both during and after the pandemic.
Learning from experience: COVID-19’s impact on people with opioid use disorder
Dr. Andrew Kestler is involved in a new study interviewing people with opioid use disorder to understand their perspectives of the pandemic.
BC teachers report deteriorated mental health during pandemic
A new study examining the impact of COVID-19 on teachers in BC found four out of five reported worse mental health. Two-thirds reported a heavier workload than before the pandemic.
Re-dawn of the digital age: Integrating technology & health care
The COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed an increase in the use of digital technology and highlighted its importance in providing essential health care.
Integrating technology as part of my health care has given me an opportunity to focus on me being me rather than being a patient.
Age, altruism, or a long-term view: Why do people living with HIV get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Understanding COVID-19 vaccine confidence in people living with HIV in Canada.
Half of people with COVID-19 symptoms leaving emergency departments did not self-isolate as instructed
While people understood public health guidelines, they did not adhere to them, citing need for food, medication, and fresh air.
Pandemic underlines need to address physician burnout
Two out of three Vancouver physicians surveyed in a new CHÉOS study faced burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We need to create a sustainable workforce because a more sustainable and thriving health care system means better quality of care for patients.
IN THE NEWS
Big picture research with big impact
The researchers and staff at CHÉOS investigate a diverse range of health-related problems, spanning the health care, housing, and education systems, among others. Though each area and approach are unique, our work is united by a common thread: looking at the big picture from a population-level perspective that aims to provide evidence-based answers to questions with real-world impact.
Discover PHARM-HF, a clinic connecting pharmacists with patients with heart failure
Embedded within St. Paul’s Heart Function Clinic, PHARM-HF is a unique clinic where a pharmacist works directly with patients to start, change, and monitor their medications for heart failure.
BePelvicHealthAware: Changing the conversation about the pelvic floor and women’s health
Dr. Roxana Geoffrion and her team have set out to change the way women’s health information is shared on the internet.
These symptoms occur in about half of aging women, but women generally don’t talk about them because of embarrassment, and they end up seeking out answers in the wrong places, or finding no answers at all.
Decolonizing maternity care: The Ekw’í7tl Indigenous Doula Collective
How a group of Indigenous birthworkers are reclaiming the power of birth and empowering others to lead the way.
The way that Indigenous birth looks and is defined is by each person; each birth looks different. We support birthers to choose what is meaningful for them.
Chest pain emergency? Using cardiac imaging to guarantee patient outcomes
Cardiac CT imaging provides a long-term warranty for emergency department patients with chest pain.
Gaining PRECISION on chronic inflammatory diseases through patient voices
CHÉOS Scientists are collaborating with patients to prevent complications from chronic inflammatory conditions.
Treatments like methadone help prevent fentanyl deaths, but engagement is declining
Study highlights the importance of opioid agonist therapy during the overdose crisis, including the need to support continued treatment.
Validation is key: Taking steps to help individuals with eating disorders feel empowered
In recognition of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, CHÉOS’ Dr. Josie Geller shares her perspective on the importance of validation during the recovery journey.
Chemotherapy combats early-stage colorectal cancer
Innovative use of chemotherapy prior to surgery to treat colorectal cancer has shown very promising results in a recent clinical study led by Dr. Carl Brown.
It’s quite unusual to give chemo to a patient with an early rectal cancer, but so far the results have been quite impressive.
Transforming kidney care with remote Indigenous communities
A first-of-its kind kidney health assessment program addresses inequities in access to care for Indigenous people.
