There is a paucity of evidence guiding care practices in this very frail and unique population living in long-term care (LTC) homes. This is in large part due to a lack of research coordination at the pan-Canadian level. The proposed research network aims to address gaps in LTC clinical research by involving a coalition of LTC homes from 8 provinces and a network of researchers dedicated to conducting high-quality, multi-centre interventional studies. We have a unique opportunity to be the first major LTC research network undertaking large-scale interventional studies in the world. In doing so, we capitalize on the public and private investments in the sector post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Progress to date and links to ACT: We have developed partnerships with LTC homes (chains and communities of practice) and provincial and national organizations who will support this initiative. We have undertaken extensive consultations with residents, caregivers, organizational stakeholders, and researchers. Through these consultations, we have developed the necessary partnerships, governance models, and research collaborations to launch this network. We have also developed our data platform strategy, supported by CIHI and HDRN (an ACT entity), and begun to develop foci of work with research theme leads. We have also executed data sharing agreements with 200 LTC homes in Ontario, allowing the collection of standardized data and facilitating large, multi-centre trials; we are in the process of securing additional data partnerships in NB and AB. We have also developed partnerships with biotechnology companies, including Pfizer and Moderna (vaccines in LTC), CANHealth (aging and public health technology), and PointClickCare (largest LTC EMR provider in Canada), in line with Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. Finally, we have established collaborations with existing ACT networks, including the PCPCRC (palliative care), CCCTG (critical care), and Ottawa Methods Centre (trials unit).
