Each year, Research Infosource Inc. releases a list of Canada's Top 40 Research Hospitals determined by total research spend by institute. Investments come primarily from philanthropy, government and industry, and support the innovative research activities at each organization. Twenty of the hospitals recognized for excellence in health research this year are based in Ontario.
It's a reminder of the vital role hospitals play in driving health care innovation and improving health care outcomes across Canada today. Hospital-based research occurs at the intersection of patients, clinicians, clinician-scientists, and other researchers with linkages to universities, medical schools, and leading-edge biotech firms. Nowhere else are researchers as connected to patients or as involved in the delivery of care as in hospitals. In recent years, hospitals have made breakthroughs in areas such as kidney, respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Positioned to Redesign Health Care for Tomorrow
A huge spike in population growth in Canada in recent years, and a growing population of elderly people with complex health needs is increasing demand for health services, alongside an increase in the acuity levels of patients presenting in emergency departments. The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) believes that technology and the wide range of innovations being developed in hospitals today offer great potential for creating capacity and capability in the health system, at a time when change is badly needed.
“Investments in hospital-based research have led to significant clinical advancements and improvements in the delivery of health care services," said OHA President and CEO Anthony Dale. “As Canada's population grows and ages, Ontario's hospitals will play an anchor role in reimagining and redesigning health care services in their communities to meet this evolving need."
Profiling Hospital-Based Research
While thousands of experts work in research every day across Ontario to improve health care, more can be done to raise awareness of their efforts and the impact they have. This special edition of Health System News is one way the OHA is seeking to profile the incredible reach and impact of this work.
Ontario research hospitals attracted $1.82 billion in investment in 2021-22, an increase of 6.5 per cent over 2020-2021. This investment allows the sector to drive innovations that transform patient care and health care operations. Hospitals have also fostered strategic partnerships through national networks to improve Canada's clinical trials and pandemic preparedness.
Ontario's research hospitals also attract and nurture scientific talent and contribute to Canada's economic growth and prosperity. Since 2017-18, Ontario's research hospitals have generated nearly 1,400 intellectual property disclosures and $162 million in commercialization revenue from more than 680 products, which are critical to strengthening the Canadian economy and competitiveness on a global scale.
“The OHA is proud of Ontario's research hospitals for their contributions in improving health care delivery and health outcomes," said Dale. “Moving forward, the OHA and its member hospitals will continue to play a leadership role in re-engineering hospital-based care so that scientific, technological and clinical breakthroughs are adopted."
The following Ontario hospitals have been named among Canada's Top 40 Research Hospitals for 2023:
- University Health Network
- Hospital for Sick Children
- The Ottawa Hospital
- London Health Sciences Centre/St. Joseph's Health Care London
- Hamilton Health Sciences
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Unity Health Toronto
- Sinai Health
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
- Kingston Health Sciences Centre
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
- Baycrest
- Women's College Hospital
- The Royal
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bruyère
- Hôpital Montfort
- Trillium Health Partners
- Health Sciences North
Share your stories of the latest hospital-based research and innovations at gotnews@oha.com