DOCSLIB.ORG

Chief Science Advisor

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Chief Science Advisor ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Chief Science Advisor 2019–2020 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Chief Science Advisor Office of the Chief Science Advisor 235 Queen Street Ottawa, Ontario 2019–2020 K1A 0H5 Canada [email protected] This publication is also available online at science.gc.ca. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Chief Science Advisor of Canada (2020) Cat. No. Iu35-1E-PDF ISSN 2562-2579 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF SCIENCE ADVISOR Back in mid-2019, my staff and I took part in I was correct about the former. I could not have three separate tabletop simulations: exercises been more wrong about the latter. designed to simulate the stresses of decision-making in emergencies. One simulation was domestic, When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in conducted with Public Safety Canada and the Canada, my staff and I took the lessons learned Department of National Defense. The other two from the simulations and implemented them as were international, conducted in the United States quickly as we could. And we succeeded, I believe, and the United Kingdom. in setting up a network of pathways that brought scientists together, and allowed information to These exercises were part of an ambitious flow swiftly from Canada’s most knowledgeable 2019-2020 work plan for this office. In addition to researchers through to government decision- these simulations, our staff were simultaneously makers. active in many files across all areas of our mandate: providing better science advice to decision-makers, Our efforts were successful thanks not only establishing open-science principles for federal to the work of my staff, but to the willing research, improving federal government science, participation of the scientific community across and conducting science-based international Canada, from multiple disciplines: public health, diplomacy. The year 2019 was only the second clinical medicine, immunology, epidemiology, full calendar year of this office’s existence. mathematical modeling, risk modeling, risk We were taking up our role with increased communication, behavioural sciences and beyond. confidence, solidifying relationships with some Words cannot express the depth of my appreciation federal departments and establishing new ones and gratitude for their generous help and advice. with others. Our work is far from complete, neither As we conducted our mid-year simulations, on COVID-19 nor on my office’s many other I expected they would provide helpful guidance initiatives, all of which are discussed in the on how science can assist government decision- pages of this report. Through it all, Canadians On December 12, 2019, Dr. Mona Nemer met with can be proud of the way their scientists and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of makers in times of crisis. I also expected that we Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains researchers are answering the call, working together, before the year’s end to talk about the highlights would likely have at least a year to follow through from 2019 and what’s on the horizon for 2020. on their recommendations, putting in place the applying their knowledge and seeking solutions to structures that would ensure timely flow of sound the perplexing problems of our time. data and scientific analysis for the moment when Dr. Mona Nemer, C.M., C.Q., FRSC a true emergency eventually took shape. Chief Science Advisor Government of Canada 2 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................................6 Table of INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................10 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 12 Contents THE YEAR AHEAD ................................................................................................................52 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................58 4 5 The Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) was • Put in place a framework for open science and created by the Government of Canada in late 2017, open data for all research conducted within with the appointment of Dr. Mona Nemer to the the federal government, as well as a timeline post of Chief Science Advisor. This is the second for expanding the principles of openness to annual report of the Chief Science Advisor, and it all federally funded scientific research. details the activities of her office for the 15-month • Reviewed the funding and operations of period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. Canada’s major research facilities and of the Executive Government of Canada’s laboratory facilities, An ambitious work plan was established in 2019 and progress against that plan was consistent and with recommendations for improvement that Summary robust. To illustrate, the OCSA: will ensure the facilities’ excellence while making the most of federal investment. • Continued its work on scientific integrity, ensuring the ability of federal scientists to • Was active in the international promotion pursue their research and speak freely about of scientific cooperation and collaboration, their results. briefing members of Canada’s foreign service, participating in state visits, and • Expanded the fledgling network of leading delegations to major international departmental science advisors, and shaped scientific conferences. it to form the foundation of a robust advisory function that can filter and funnel the best scientific information and counsel to federal decision-makers. 6 7 • Deepened its relationships with Indigenous • A successful international collaboration to peoples in Canada, to better understand apply the principles of open science and open the intersections between Indigenous and data to all coronavirus-related research, past scientific knowledge, and encouraging and present, in order to help speed the pace Indigenous communities to set their own of discovery. research priorities. • A heightened role for the Chief Science Advisor • Established a youth council to help mentor in public engagement, to help Canadians Canada’s next generation of scientists. understand the science behind COVID-19 and the mitigation measures needed to slow In addition, the Chief Science Advisor was a its spread. frequent speaker in public and the media on issues relating to science in Canada. She was also an In its second year of operation, the Office of the outspoken supporter of diversity and gender equity Chief Science Advisor grew more fully into its role, in the STEM disciplines, participating in numerous advancing a range of initiatives in all areas of its roundtables, media interviews and other public mandate. The OCSA accelerated its operations in forums on the topic. its policy work, its international engagements, its science advisory function, and in its support for As part of its work plan, in mid-2019 the OCSA federal research facilities and scientists. The Chief also participated in a series of simulation exercises Science Advisor intends to harness this momentum designed to mimic a global health emergency, to and translate it into further achievements better understand how scientific information in 2020-21. flows to government decision-makers in times of crisis. Just months later, the lessons learned from those simulations helped to shape the OCSA’s role in helping to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The OCSA’s initiatives on this file included: • A series of COVID-19-related science advisory panels, which gathered together top scientists from across Canada. These advisory panels, and the task forces that derived from them, provided the government with expert counsel from outside the halls of government itself. The OCSA team wore red as part of Wear Red Day to raise awareness about women’s heart health in Canada during the month of February. 8 9 Every day, the Government of Canada makes • Better science: Recommend ways for the crucial decisions that affect our economy, the government to better support quality scientific sustainability of our climate, and the well-being of research within the federal system. our society – just as all governments do, both here • Science advice: Ensure that scientific at home and around the world. The best decisions analyses are considered in government are those guided by clear priorities and supported decisions, coordinate expert advice to by evidence. And scientific knowledge can be Cabinet, and recommend ways to improve a crucial contributor to this process: scientists the government’s science advisory function. collect information, analyze data, and provide evidence-based, non-partisan recommendations • Science diplomacy and outreach: Promote that can help governments identify their best a positive and productive dialogue between course of action. federal scientists and academia, both in Canada and abroad, and raise awareness Introduction The Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) of scientific issues. was created in September 2017 with a mandate to support the Government of Canada’s decision- making processes. More specifically, the Chief With the OCSA’s second full year of operation Science Advisor’s mandate can be broken down now complete, this report details its main into four key areas: accomplishments in each of these four key areas, as well as its priorities for the year ahead. In addition, • Open science: Help ensure that government this report also provides
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Covid-19 and Children
    COVID-19 AND CHILDREN REPORT OF A SPECIAL TASK FORCE LED BY THE CHIEF SCIENCE ADVISOR OF CANADA July 2020 Office of the Chief Bureau du conseiller Science Advisor of Canada scientifique en chef du Canada TABLE OF CONTENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 TASK FORCE MEMBERS 4 I. OBJECTIVE 5 Mandate 5 Methodology 5 II. CONTEXT AND STATE OF KNOWLEDGE 6 1. The role of children in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 7 2. Disease presentation and risk factors in children 9 3. The impact of COVID-19 social measures on children and their families 11 III. FINDINGS 13 IV. ANALYSIS AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS 14 A. Children in daycares and schools 14 B. Addressing the challenges of COVID-19 in vulnerable children 16 V. CONCLUSION 17 REFERENCES 18 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For the past six months, the world has been The key task force findings are: dealing with an unprecedented pandemic caused by a new corona virus: SARS-CoV-2. Much has 1. Children are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 been learned since on the virus and the illness infection but the disease is generally it causes, COVID-19, but many knowledge gaps milder in children than in older adults for persist on the prevalence, clinical presentation reasons that have not yet been identified. and transmission of COVID-19 in children. 2. Younger children (up to 10 years of age) Children form a unique population that may seem to have lower infection rates than have different infectivity and role in disease older children. The reasons behind this age- transmission compared to adults.
    [Show full text]
  • October 2018 Asbmb Today 1 Editor’S Note
    CONTENTS NEWS FEATURES PERSPECTIVES 2 24 48 EDITOR’S NOTE MEET MONA NEMER, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Look back and listen CANADA’S TOP SCIENCE ADVISER Policy is your BFF 3 32 50 NEWS FROM THE HILL THE PHOTOSYNTHESIS FIX AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN Weigh in on initiatives across the NIH IN THE MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES 41 Managing underrepresentation 4 ANNUAL MEETING MEMBER UPDATE 41 Scientific session snapshots 48 44 Abstract advice 7 46 Abstract topics NEWS 7 Chapter leader finds his niche 24 8 Shadow gene gives otters, manatees susceptibility to banned bug-killer 10 2018 honor society inductees 11 50 LIPID NEWS Studying protein–lipid interactions 12 JOURNAL NEWS 32 12 Scientists sweep cellular neighborhoods where Zika hides out 13 Spectroscopic studies scrutinize links between liver disease and mitochondria 15 Scientists fill in a piece of the copper transport puzzle 16 What bacteria can teach us about combating atrazine contamination 18 Award winners pen essays for JBC 20 From the journals 8 41 OCTOBER 2018 ASBMB TODAY 1 EDITOR’S NOTE THE MEMBER MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY Look back and listen By Comfort Dorn OFFICERS COUNCIL MEMBERS Gerald Hart Squire J. Booker President Victoria J. DeRose Wayne Fairbrother n general, and My involvement in Jennifer DuBois Rachel Green especially in this this work was minimal. Secretary Blake Hill space, I like to look Early in the process, Toni M. Antalis Susan Marqusee I Treasurer Celia A. Shiffer ahead. That’s my job. when Allison told us Takita Felder Sumter This week (about two she wanted to make an JoAnn Trejo EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS weeks before you are audio article, I dubbed David Bernlohr ASBMB TODAY EDITORIAL reading these words), it an “audicle” and Hao Wu I am making assign- won a few laughs.
    [Show full text]
  • Older Women's Health Priorities and Perceptions of Care Delivery
    Research Recherche Older women’s health priorities and perceptions of care delivery: results of the WOW health survey Cara Tannenbaum, Nancy Mayo, Francine Ducharme ß See related article page 165 Abstract s women’s life expectancy increases, physicians are confronted with the challenge of treating an elderly Background: As women get older, their health priorities change. A population that is predominantly female and has a We surveyed a sample of older Canadian women to investi- variety of health priorities and needs. Older women face gate what health priorities are of concern to them, their per- functional, psychological and social difficulties in addition ceptions about the care delivered to address these priorities to health-related conditions. One solution to align care and the extent to which priorities and perceptions of care dif- more closely with women’s health priorities is to practise fer across age groups and provinces. patient-centred care, whereby clinical decision-making is Methods: The WOW (What Older women Want) cross-sec- focused primarily on the priorities and preferences of indi- tional health survey was mailed in October 2003 to 5000 vidual patients.1–3 Data on older women’s health priorities community-dwelling women aged 55–95 years from 10 4–6 Canadian provinces. Women were asked questions on 26 are scarce, and understanding the gamut of their con- health priorities according to the World Health Organiza- cerns is important for directing patient-centred, priority- tion’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability driven agendas. The WOW — What Older women Want and Health, and their perceptions of whether these priorities — health survey was conducted to determine health priori- were being addressed by health care providers through ties of older Canadian women and the extent to which screening or counselling.
    [Show full text]
  • Effectiveness of Continence Promotion for Older Women Via Community Organisations: a Cluster Randomised Trial
    BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004135 on 10 December 2013. Downloaded from Open Access Research Effectiveness of continence promotion for older women via community organisations: a cluster randomised trial Cara Tannenbaum,1 Rona Agnew,2 Andrea Benedetti,3 Doneal Thomas,4 Eleanor van den Heuvel5 To cite: Tannenbaum C, ABSTRACT et al Strengths and limitations of this study Agnew R, Benedetti A, . Objectives: The primary objective of this cluster Effectiveness of continence randomised controlled trial was to compare the ▪ promotion for older women First study to provide level 1 evidence that con- effectiveness of the three experimental continence via community organisations: tinence promotion is an effective strategy for a cluster randomised trial. promotion interventions against a control intervention improving urinary symptoms among untreated BMJ Open 2013;3:e004135. on urinary symptom improvement in older women with community-dwelling older women. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2013- untreated incontinence recruited from community ▪ Participants were recruited via community orga- 004135 organisations. A second objective was to determine nisations with representation across diverse whether changes in incontinence-related knowledge socioeconomic strata. ▸ Prepublication history for and new uptake of risk-modifying behaviours explain ▪ Rates of knowledge acquisition and behaviour this paper is available online. these improvements. change provide an explanatory mechanism for To view these files please Setting: 71 community organisations across the UK. the observed improvements in incontinence in visit the journal online Participants: 259 women aged 60 years and older participants receiving the combined education (http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ with untreated incontinence entered the trial; 88% plus self-management strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Debates of the Senate
    DEBATES OF THE SENATE 1st SESSION • 42nd PARLIAMENT • VOLUME 150 • NUMBER 155 OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Thursday, November 2, 2017 The Honourable GEORGE J. FUREY, Speaker CONTENTS (Daily index of proceedings appears at back of this issue). Debates Services: D’Arcy McPherson, National Press Building, Room 906, Tel. 613-995-5756 Publications Centre: Kim Laughren, National Press Building, Room 926, Tel. 613-947-0609 Published by the Senate Available on the Internet: http://www.parl.gc.ca 4050 THE SENATE Thursday, November 2, 2017 The Senate met at 1:30 p.m., the Speaker in the chair. Honourable senators, we have a long list of senators who would like to speak today. In order to get all senators in in the Prayers. time provided, I would ask senators to keep their remarks to two minutes, please. VISITORS IN THE GALLERY Hon. Larry W. Smith (Leader of the Opposition): I would like to congratulate the Honourable Senator Kelvin Ogilvie for The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw his outstanding contribution to Canada in his service as senator, your attention to the presence in the gallery of Indigenous youth as well as in his career prior to his 2009 appointment. delegates and staff of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Sinclair. What Senator Ogilvie brought to the Senate was his extensive knowledge as well as his fundamental understanding of the On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the power and evolution of the knowledge economy. He had an Senate of Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Freeland, Champagne to Balance Canada-US Relationship
    Heard on the Hill Foreign Policy Michael Harris Politics Hill Climbers Susan Riley Sheila Copps p. 9 Senate news Energy p. 6 NDP rookie MP Matthew Rose LeMay p. 7 policy briefi ng pp. 19-27 Green making waves p. 4 Hill Times’ 30th shin dig p. 33 THIRTY-FIRST YEAR, NO. 1686 CANADA’S POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2019 $5.00 Opinion Climate catastrophe was a problem with the climate. In fact, they have gone up 15 per So much for promises of ‘early and deep cent in the past 10 years. So much for the promises of “early and deep cuts” in emissions to avoid catastrophic heating. cuts’ to avoid castrophic climate change Governments have been making these promises since the ONDON, U.K.—What a sur- report by the United Nations is BY GWYNNE DYER emissions are still going up 30 early 1990s, and they are never Lprise! The annual emissions now out, and greenhouse gas years after we fi rst realized there Continued on page 10 News Prime minister News Foreign policy News Legislation New Foreign Affairs Minister Humbled François-Philippe Policy primer: Champagne and Trudeau new Deputy Prime Liberals Minister and changes Intergovernmental promise to Affaris Minister leadership style, Chrystia Freeland, address Impact pictured at but unclear if Rideau Hall on Assessment law Nov. 20, 2019. The Hill Times it’s an ‘actual photographs by outrage without conversion’ or Andrew Meade amendments just a ‘diff erent BY PETER MAZEREEUW role, for now’ overnment offi cials are pol- Gishing off “guidance” docu- ments that experts say could be BY ABBAS RANA used by new Environment Minis- ‘No such thing as too ter Jonathan Wilkinson to make fter dealing with numerous good on his promise to address Ahigh-profi le controversies in criticisms of his government’s his fi rst mandate, being reduced Impact Assessment Act without to a minority government in many cooks’: Freeland, changing the law.
    [Show full text]
  • Canada Report Anke Kessler, Andrew Sharpe, Martin Thunert (Coordinator)
    Canada Report Anke Kessler, Andrew Sharpe, Martin Thunert (Coordinator) Sustainable Governance Indicators 2019 © vege - stock.adobe.com Sustainable Governance SGI Indicators SGI 2019 | 2 Canada Report Executive Summary Canada’s economic position is strong, despite lingering barriers to internal trade, high household debt and overheated property markets in major cities. The Canadian government has managed to avoid major economic disruptions during the recent NAFTA renegotiations, but remains at the mercy of an unpredictable U.S. administration. The federal government debt is moderate and sustainable, but the provinces have come under increasing fiscal strain from rising health care costs, which are likely to rise further in the foreseeable future. The government of Prime Minister Trudeau has been praised for its 2018 budget which introduced gender conscious accounting of impacts, expanded parental leave and introduced the Canadian Workers Benefit (a refundable tax credit for low-income earners). The Liberals under Trudeau also expanded benefits under the Canadian Pension Plan, which remains fiscally sound, and recently legalized cannabis, fulfilling a high profile campaign pledge. The government has also been celebrated for its positive messaging toward immigrants and returning Canada to an active role in U.N. peacekeeping operations. On other policy issues, the government has had trouble meeting the high expectations it established during the election campaign and in the early years of its term. Key bills on security oversight, environmental regulation and access to information remain before parliament, but are at risk falling off the agenda if they are not passed before the upcoming federal election in October 2019. Campaign promises notwithstanding, the government has yet to develop a national strategy for childcare and early childhood education.
    [Show full text]
  • Dr. Lynn A. Raymond, MD, Phd, FRCPC, President Dr. Jaideep Bains, Phd, Vice-President Lynn Raymond, MD
    th Vancouver, Calgary and Québec city, February 28 , 2018 The Canadian Association for Neuroscience From: Dr. Lynn A. Raymond, MD, PhD, FRCPC, President Dr. Jaideep Bains, PhD, Vice-President Lynn Raymond, MD. Ph.D. President Dr. Katalin Toth, PhD, Chair of the Advocacy Committee, University of British Columbia Canadian Association for Neuroscience To: The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Jaideep Bains, Ph.D Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Vice-President The Honourable William Francis Morneau, Minister of University of Calgary Finance Katalin Toth, Ph.D The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister Chair of the Advocacy Government of Canada Committee Université Laval Edward Ruthazer , Ph.D. Dear Ministers Duncan, Morneau and Trudeau, Secretary As representatives of the largest association of neuroscientists in Canada, we McGill University wish to thank you and applaud the announcement of important new Derek Bowie, Ph.D. financial support for Investigator-led fundamental research in budget 2018. Treasurer McGill University This budget makes significant strides towards the implementation of the recommendations of the Fundamental Science Review, commissioned by the Board of Directors: honourable Kirsty Duncan, and is good news for scientists across the country Freda Miller, Ph.D and all Canadians. Past-President University of Toronto The investments announced today will have a significant impact for all Canadians. Scientific research is among the highest-yield investments that Shernaz Bamji, Ph.D. University of British Columbia the government can make – it provides training for highly qualified personnel and leads to discoveries that improve the lives and health of everyone. Stephanie Borgland, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Female Grant Applicants Are Equally Successful When Peer Reviewers Assess the Science, but Not When They Assess the Scientist
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/232868; this version posted March 2, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. Female grant applicants are equally successful when peer reviewers assess the science, but not when they assess the scientist Holly O. Witteman, PhD1; Michael Hendricks, PhD2; Sharon Straus, MD FRCPC MSc HBSc3; Cara Tannenbaum, MD MSc4 1Associate Professor, Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada, G1V 0A6 2Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, 1205 av du Docteur-Penfield, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, H3A 1B1 3Professor, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Canada, M3B 2T9 4Scientific Director, Institute for Gender and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada, H3A 1W4 Corresponding author: Holly O. Witteman, 1050 avenue de la Médecine, Pavillon Ferdinand- Vandry, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada, G1V 0A6, telephone: 418.656.2131 x3981, fax: 418.656.2465, email: [email protected] Keywords (MeSH terms): Peer Review, Research/methods; Sex Factors Keywords (non-MeSH terms): Gender Bias Running title: Gender Bias in Grant Review Word count: 3500 words bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/232868; this version posted March 2, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. ABSTRACT (299 words) Background: Previous research shows that men often receive more research funding than women, but does not provide empirical evidence as to why this occurs.
    [Show full text]
  • For Peer Review Only
    BMJ Open BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004135 on 10 December 2013. Downloaded from Effectiveness of continence promotion for older women via community organisations: a cluster randomised trial ForJournal: peerBMJ Open review only Manuscript ID: bmjopen-2013-004135 Article Type: Research Date Submitted by the Author: 27-Sep-2013 Complete List of Authors: Tannenbaum, Cara; Université de Montréal, Faculty of Medicine Agnew, Rona; Glasgow Caledonian University, Benedetti, Andrea; McGill University, Departments of Medicine and of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health Thomas, Doneal; McGill University, Departments of Medicine and of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Occupational Health van den Heuvel, Eleanor; Brunel University, <b>Primary Subject Urology Heading</b>: Secondary Subject Heading: Geriatric medicine Keywords: Urinary incontinences < UROLOGY, PUBLIC HEALTH, GERIATRIC MEDICINE http://bmjopen.bmj.com/ on September 24, 2021 by guest. Protected copyright. For peer review only - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/site/about/guidelines.xhtml Page 1 of 35 BMJ Open BMJ Open: first published as 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004135 on 10 December 2013. Downloaded from 1 2 3 4 5 Effectiveness of continence promotion for older women via community organisations: 6 a cluster randomised trial 7 8 9 1 2 3 10 Cara Tannenbaum, MD, MSc Rona Agnew, PhD Andrea Benedetti, PhD Doneal 11 Thomas, MSc4 Eleanor van den Heuvel, PhD5 12 13 14 1 15 AssociateFor Professor, peer Faculty of Medicine, review Université de Montréal, only Quebec, Canada 16
    [Show full text]
  • Reduction of Inappropriate Benzodiazepine Prescriptions Among Older Adults Through Direct Patient Education the EMPOWER Cluster Randomized Trial
    Research Original Investigation Reduction of Inappropriate Benzodiazepine Prescriptions Among Older Adults Through Direct Patient Education The EMPOWER Cluster Randomized Trial Cara Tannenbaum, MD, MSc; Philippe Martin, BSc; Robyn Tamblyn, PhD; Andrea Benedetti, PhD; Sara Ahmed, PhD Supplemental content at IMPORTANCE The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation Choosing Wisely jamainternalmedicine.com Campaign recommends against the use of benzodiazepine drugs for adults 65 years and older. The effect of direct patient education to catalyze collaborative care for reducing inappropriate prescriptions remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of a direct-to-consumer educational intervention against usual care on benzodiazepine therapy discontinuation in community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cluster randomized trial (EMPOWER [Eliminating Medications Through Patient Ownership of End Results] study [2010-2012, 6-month follow-up]). Community pharmacies were randomly allocated to the intervention or control arm in nonstratified, blocked groups of 4. Participants (303 long-term users of benzodiazepine medication aged 65-95 years, recruited from 30 community pharmacies) were screened and enrolled prior to randomization: 15 pharmacies randomized to the educational intervention included 148 participants and 15 pharmacies randomized to the “wait list” control included 155 participants. Participants, physicians, pharmacists, and evaluators were blinded to outcome assessment. INTERVENTIONS The active arm received
    [Show full text]
  • Canadian Science Meets Parliament: Building
    Science and Public Policy, 2020, 1–4 doi: 10.1093/scipol/scz062 Perspective Canadian Science Meets Parliament: Building relationships between scientists and Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/spp/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/scipol/scz062/5710706 by guest on 26 March 2020 policymakers Jiaying Zhao1,*, Meghan B. Azad 2, Erin M. Bertrand3, Cole Burton 4, Valorie A. Crooks5, Jackie Dawson6, Adam T. Ford 7, Angela Kaida8, Arjun Krishnaswamy9, Chikin Kuok10, Catherine L. Mah11, Matt McTaggart12, Amanda J. Moehring 13, Dominique Robert14, Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde 15, Heather Sparling16, Mary A. De Vera17, Stephanie Waterman18 and Trushar R. Patel 19,* 1Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 2Canada Research Chair in the Developmental Origins of Chronic Disease, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, 3Canada Research Chair in Marine Microbial Proteomics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, 4Canada Research Chair in Terrestrial Mammal Conservation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 5Canada Research Chair in Health Service Geographies, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada, 6Canada Research Chair in Environment, Society, and Policy, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 7Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Restoration Ecology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada, 8Canada Research Chair in Global Perspectives in HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada, 9Canada
    [Show full text]