From the bench to the bedside and across the country
In 2002, trainees from paediatric institutions across Canada were given a new professional-development opportunity with the creation of the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP). The program was designed to provide these trainees with interdisciplinary research training and equip them to become career clinician-scientists. It is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and SickKids Foundation.
The national program was developed as a result of the success of the Clinician-Scientist Training Program (CSTP) at SickKids and through the vision of Dr. Norman Rosenblum, past chair of the program. His vision was to allow trainees from paediatric institutions across Canada the opportunity to complete clinician-scientist training. The SickKids program was highlighted in the 2001-2002 Research Institute Annual Report for its success in training a variety of health-care professionals – including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical dietetitians, clinical psychologists and pharmacologists – to become clinician-scientists.
“The Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program will enable clinician-scientists from across the country to become leaders in research while being supported in the establishment of their careers,” said Dr. Rosenblum. The inclusion of many health disciplines in this program can only enhance knowledge in health care. It raises new and exciting opportunities for collaboration, both from a multidisciplinary perspective and from a national perspective.”
The CCHCSP continues to recruit, train and support clinician-scientists who have an interest in child and youth health, offering a variety of educational and collaborative experiences with institutions and researchers across Canada.