THUNDER BAY – When Michel Bédard started the Showcase of Health Research 15 years ago, it was a small event attended by around 30 people. But as Thunder Bay’s reputation as a hub for health research has grown, so has the event.
This year’s showcase, hosted by the Centre for Applied Health Research at St. Joseph’s Care Group, brought around 200 health researchers and practitioners together Friday at the Victoria Inn. The event featured over 40 presentations. Bédard, the centre’s Scientific Director, says the primary goal is to help bring the benefits of research done in the region into practice.
“It’s fine to do research, but if it just sits in a report or an article in a scientific journal, it’s not always very useful,” he says. “We’ve been trying to make sure the research being done in northwestern Ontario is being disseminated, but also provide options for clinicians and researchers to meet, with a lens that’s relevant to [the region].”
Stephanie Schurr, an occupational therapist with St. Joseph’s Care Group, was presenting her research on vision problems experienced by those who have suffered concussions. Her research shows vision problems are more common after a concussion than after other injuries.
Her hope is that by sharing research like hers, health practitioners may catch those problems earlier, helping clients return to their daily lives more easily.
“As concussion is becoming a more recognized condition, clinicians might see clients struggling in different areas, and have the opportunity to do a few quick screens,” she explains.
Schurr says even in the age of the internet, the face-to-face connections made at the showcase are essential.
“Even though the world is more connected than ever before, a lot of partnership and collaboration is best done in person,” she says. “So to have other people around with the same interests, being able to meet them and learn about what research is being done locally, it just gives further opportunity for close collaboration so more research can come out of Thunder Bay.”
Jaidyn Charlton, an undergraduate student at Lakehead University, attended the showcase to present her research team’s work on cannabis use. The project came out of Lakehead’s substance use research lab.
The team’s research examined the motives behind use of the drug in young people, with results suggesting coping with stress may be a major factor. Charlton says those kind of results can help inform the development of treatments and prevention initiatives.
For students like herself, Charlton says, the research showcase is a valuable opportunity to get experience presenting and make contacts without leaving town.
