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Research and You

You can make a difference.
If you are a patient at BC Women's, you and your baby may have a chance to participate in a research study.  When you participate in a research study, you are making an important contribution to the health of women and their families.

You can learn more about research studies that are looking for participants by clicking on the tabs below. 
Research Opportunities

 

The Early Development Research Group (EDRG) is comprised of seven research centres in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. We study the development of language, cognition, and social understanding in infants and children.


Have you ever wondered how your baby learned something as complex as language or social cues? Here at the EDRG, we want to understand the amazing ways infants and children learn to understand the world around them and how these skills develop in early childhood. The we explore topics such as cognitive, social, moral, language, and numeracy development, among many other aspects of childhood. We need baby and child scientists to help us answer these important research questions!


We're looking for:


  • All healthy, typically-developing children aged 0-12 are eligible for our studies (with a parent/guardian). Some online studies require access to a computer. The majority of our studies require the child and/or parent to understand and complete tasks in English.

Upon signing up, your family will be added to our confidential database. Each time your child(ren) becomes eligible for a study, we will reach out to you with detailed information and you can choose to participate if interested. Our studies are typically 1-time commitments. Our fun online and in-person studies typically involve puppet shows, interesting videos, and/or questionnaires, and range from 15 minutes to 1 hour. If you were to participate in an online studies, we would send you instructions and a link to participate. For in-person studies, we would find a time that works for you to visit one of our Centres here at UBC and provide directions and instructions. We aim for our studies to be convenient and fun for both your little one and you; we have free reserved parking spaces for your convenience, or would provide transit passes if you choose to come by bus. After participating in the study, your little one will receive a fun gift (such as a t-shirt, book or toy) and an honourary UBC Degree as a token of our appreciation!


To sign-up and learn more, fill out this form and we will be in touch: https://edrg.psych.ubc.ca/participate/sign-up-online/ 


You can learn more about the EDRG by visiting our website (https://edrg.psych.ubc.ca) or finding us on Facebook or Instagram (@ubcedrg).

 

Researchers at UBC And BC Women’s Hospital are using a new technology to look for signs of placental infection (AFII) in mother’s blood during pregnancy.  We are inviting people who are at risk of premature delivery to participate in this research study. 


Amniotic fluid infection/inflammation (AFII) is a strong risk factor for preterm birth. Antibiotics might prevent infection-related preterm birth but there is currently no way to detect these infections before birth. 

This project will measure inflammation in placental tissue and blood from mothers who have preterm deliveries. Samples from moms affected by AFII will be compared to those without placental inflammation using a very sensitive technique. We hope to identify markers of AFII in mothers’ blood. The study findings will then be used to develop a blood test that can identify AFII during pregancy and allow for early treatment. 

We are looking for people who are:

  • Pregnant with one baby
  • At risk for pre-term birth

The only requirement for participating is donation of a teaspoon of blood when blood is drawn as part of your care and a small portion of your placenta following delivery.  No additional specimens or tests are needed.  Women who are donating cord blood to CBS are eligible to participate.  


Interested patients may contact the study team by email at biobank@cw.bc.ca.

 
One in five pregnant and postpartum people suffers from an anxiety disorder. However, these difficulties are not screened for, and little is known about the impact of screening on mental health. 

We want to learn more about the impact of screening for perinatal anxiety disorders on mental health outcomes. 

Perinatal anxiety disorders (AD) are associated with chronic negative health outcomes. There are evidence-based treatments available, but screening for perinatal AD is rare, leaving these individuals without treatment. Research indicates that screening plus individualized follow-up and referral allows the majority of perinatal individuals to access treatment. This study examines the effect of personalized perinatal AD screening, feedback, and referrals on mental health outcomes, treatment seeking behaviours, and use of mental health services.

We are looking for people who:

  • Are pregnant (28 weeks and beyond) or have given birth up to or including 12 weeks ago
  • Live in BC
  • Are fluent in English 
  • Are 18 years of age or older at the time of the study
Participation takes 45-75 minutes. You will be asked to complete one online survey at 6-12 weeks postpartum, and another 20 weeks later. Surveys ask about your background, mental health and reproductive history, feelings of anxiety, and other mental health symptoms. Some participants will participate in a brief conversation with a study team member.

  1. The online screening eligibility and intake form will require approximately 10 minutes of the participant’s time.
  2. The online baseline questionnaire (6-12 weeks postpartum) will require approximately 30 minutes of the participant’s time.
  3. The online follow-up questionnaire (20 weeks later) will require approximately 20 minutes of the participant’s time. 
  4. Participants in arm 3: Referral phone calls will vary in length depending on the level of symptoms of anxiety reported by the participant. They will likely last 10-30 minutes. 
Total: For participants in arms 1 and 2, approximately 1 hour of their time will be required. For participants in arm 3, approximately 1.5  hours of their time will be required.

Participants who complete the full study will receive $25 via e-Transfer. Those who complete a portion of the study will receive $15. 

 
Did you know that uterine cancer affects women and all individuals with a uterus, and when detected early, it can be cured by surgical removal of the uterus? 

Unfortunately, when women are diagnosed later, their chances of survival are decreased. Many risk factors of uterine cancer are reversable, but few are aware of them. Delayed diagnosis can be due to lack of recognition of symptoms. Delays in diagnosis are also associated with cultural, racial and socioeconomic factors.

We want to know how well women can differentiate between normal changes of reproductive aging and menopause from changes that may be early signs of uterine cancer. To do this, we are looking to recruit members of the community to share their lived experiences as they transitioned to menopause in a confidential, virtual interview. 

Identifying gaps in knowledge to raise awareness and help women identify early signs and risk factors for uterine cancer can reduce delays in diagnosis and lead to improved health outcomes.

To participate, you:

  • Must be over the age of 40
  • Must be able to read and verbally communicate in English
  • Must have access to the internet to partake in virtual interview and workshop process
You will first participate in a virtual interview, where you will be asked about your experience with menopause and reproductive aging, your experiences with the healthcare system, and your willingness to use digital health tools. The interview will be 30 minutes to 1 hour long. You will then be invited to an optional virtual workshop, where you can discuss common themes that came up during the interviews and provide feedback on a digital app and discuss barriers to using digital health tools. The workshop will be about 5 to 6 hours, including a complementary lunch. If you participate in the workshop, you will receive 50$, as well as a copy of Dr. Jerilynn Prior’s award-winning novel, “Estrogen’s Storm Season: stories of perimenopause.”  

 
Although over 10% of new parents experience postpartum depression and anxiety in British Columbia, many don’t get the treatment they need because of social and economic barriers. In response, online treatments can help to treat postpartum mental illness effectively and accessibly. 

Several web-based interventions have been effective for treating postpartum mental illnesses, but very few have been developed based on the input of people with previous experience with postpartum depression and anxiety. For this reason, the SUPPORT study aims to evaluate a new website for postpartum mental health, created based on the thoughts, opinions, and needs of birthing parents in British Columbia affected by postpartum depression and/or anxiety.

We are looking for people who: 

  • have given birth within the past 12 months
  • reside in British Columbia
  • be at least 19 years of age
  • have the ability to communicate in English
  • have a suspected diagnosis or symptoms of postpartum depression and/or anxiety, as measured by part of an initial eligibility questionnaire
  • have access to study materials online, that is, have internet access and a device to access the internet, such as a computer or smartphone
Participants will be asked to fill out an initial eligibility questionnaire (~15-20 minutes), if found eligible they will be randomized to one of two groups, either an intervention or waitlist group. If assigned to the intervention group, participants will receive immediate access to use the website, which they will continue to use for a period of 4 weeks. Participants can use the website in whatever ways they choose and for as long as they choose. Participants will also be asked to fill out three questionnaires to determine changes in depression/anxiety symptoms and to gauge website satisfaction and usability (~20 minutes each). This will be done before they begin to use the website, after the 4-week period, and again 2 weeks later. Participants in the waitlist group will gain access to the website after a 6-week waiting period, and they will be asked to complete three questionnaires to determine changes in depression/anxiety symptoms (~20 minutes each). This will be done at the beginning of the 6-week period, after 4 weeks, and after 6 weeks. 

To learn more about the study or to participate, please visit https://brottolab.med.ubc.ca/the-support-study/, email supportstudy@cw.bc.ca, or call 604-875-2424 ext. 5865
 

 
The BioBank would like to collect samples and clinical data from women and sometimes their families to create a bank (or library) of samples for use in research to better understand the causes of diseases of women and families, with the ultimate goal of improving treatment and preventing diseases.

BioBanking is the collection, storage, and use of human body samples and personal health information for research across Canada and the world. Creating a ‘bank’ of preterm and fullterm pregnancy samples can be an important contribution to researchers aiming to improve maternal care and disease prevention.

We are looking for: 

  • Anyone expecting to deliver at BC Women’s Hospital, whether they are having a healthy or complicated pregnancy.
Participation in the BioBank does not require any time on your part except if you agree to donate extra blood (at times when you are not already having blood collected). This may require 5 to 15 minutes extra.

If you would like to participate, please email biobank@cw.bc.ca with the subject ‘BCWH Research Website’ to learn more. From there, we can set up a phone call to discuss and email you an electronic consent form.

 
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure. If it happens, preeclampsia is dangerous for the mother and baby. Currently, there is no accurate way to predict who will get it – it can only be diagnosed once symptoms appear, generally in the second half of the pregnancy.

Recent research suggests that measuring the stiffness of a pregnant person’s arteries (arterial stiffness) may be a promising non-invasive test for predicting the development of pre-eclampsia later in pregnancy. 

We want to know if arterial stiffness measurements can better predict the development of pre-eclampsia when combined with standard clinical tests such as blood draws and ultrasound measurements. The ability to accurately predict who will develop preeclampsia would allow doctors to intervene sooner, providing more detailed monitoring and personalized treatments to those at greatest risk. It would also allow doctors to test preventative treatments, rather than only managing symptoms after they appear.

We are looking for people who: 

  • are at least 19 years of age
  • are at or before the 14th week of pregnancy
  • have 1 high-risk OR 2 moderate-risk factors for pre-eclampsia (listed below)
High-risk factors include:

  • Autoimmune disease
  • Type 1 or 2 diabetes
  • Chronic hypertension
  • A hypertensive disorder in a previous pregnancy
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Complications in a previous pregnancy related to the placenta
Moderate-risk factors include:

  • Having never given birth to a live baby
  • Age greater than 35 years old
  • BMI greater than 30 kg/m²
  • Family history of preeclampsia (mother or sister)
  • Assisted reproduction (including in vitro fertilization)
  • African-American race
  • Sleep apnea
  • Connective tissue disease
Participation in this research study will last approximately 8 months and will include 2 visits to the hospital. The first visit will occur in your first trimester and take approximately 90 minutes, while the second visit will occur in your second trimester and will take around 60 minutes. 

At both visits, you will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires, have some blood drawn, and have your arterial stiffness measured. There will also be an Uterine Artery Doppler (UAD) ultrasound done at the second visit which will be performed as a part of your standard care when possible. 

After you give birth, we will review your medical chart to obtain information on your birth and post-birth treatment. We will also collect basic information about the birth of your baby to better understand the outcome of your pregnancy. 

We will reimburse you for any parking expenses during the study visits up to $8.75 per study visit.

To learn more about the study or to participate, please email our Research Assistant/Research Coordinator at mfm.research@cw.bc.ca, or call 604-612-9716.

Research and You

Your Right to Participate in Research

All patients at Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) facilities regardless of their race, ethnic background, disease type/condition, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, beliefs, and abilities have the right to participate in and benefit from science advancement.

PHSA conducts and supports world-class research as part of its mandate to improve the health system and the health of British Columbians. 

At BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre, we recognize that research is an important part of what we do to improve care and that research requires participation from a diverse population to make research findings generalizable and more applicable to clinical care. 

We are committed to ensuring that all patients are contacted in a respectful capacity about research opportunities that require their consent and may be of interest to them. 

Who can access my information?

 

Respecting your privacy is a key priority. Access to patient information for the purpose of informing our patients about research opportunities is strictly controlled and limited to internal studies that have obtained both research ethics board and institutional approvals from BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre.  Information is only shared with approved research teams in accordance with the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 


Oversight is provided by the Right to Participate Initiative team established by the Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI)  and BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR), the dedicated research arms of BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre and BC Children's Hospital. 

What information can PHSA access?

 

In order to send research opportunities that we feel are most relevant to you, PHSA will use your contact information, such as:


  • Your/your child's name
  • Your/your child's home mailing address
  • Your/your child's email address
  • Your/your child's phone number

PHSA may have access to additional information to help determine whether or not a study is relevant, including:


  • Your/your child's demographic information such as gender, sex, race, ethnicity, age
  • Your/your child's diagnosis

Please note that your/your child's information will be used only for the purpose of determining whether or not a study is relevant to you or your child and to send those study opportunities to you or your child.  Your/your child's personal information will not be used or included in any research study where consent is required, unless we receive written consent from you confirming you/your child's participation.


How could I be approached for research studies?

 

PHSA conducts research activities as permitted by law. There are different ways that you can be approached for studies for which you are eligible to participate:


During a clinic visit

You/your child may be approached by a research team member during a clinic visit. 


During a stay at the hospital

You may be approached by a research team member while you/your child are/is admitted to the hospital.


Outside of the hospital

You may be contacted by a research team member after you've left the clinic or hospital. You may receive invitations to participate in research by:

  • Mail
  • Email
  • Text message
  • Phone calls after initial information has been sent by: mail, email or text message.


Can I choose not to participate?

 

Yes. Participating in research that requires your consent is always your choice and the decision to participate in a research study will NOT impact the care you or your child receive at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre 

How is my privacy protected?

 

BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre is committed to respecting personal privacy, safeguarding confidential information, and ensuring the security of personal information in our custody or under our control. Your personal information is respectfully managed in accordance with the authorities within the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as PHSA's established privacy and security policies.

 

If you have any questions about your privacy or how your personal information is managed under this initiative, please contact the PHSA Privacy Office privacy@phsa.ca

 

Please direct all questions about the study to the Study Coordinator listed in the study invitation or consent form.

 

Specific questions about how your personal information may be used to support research activities can be directed to rtp@cw.bc.ca. 

About consent

Your written consent is always required before you take part in a research study. Before you make your decision:

  • it is important to be informed
  • ask questions to understand the research study
  • take the time you need to think about it
  • and talk it over with a family member or your doctor if you need to.
  • each study is different and a study team member will explain the purpose of the research, the benefits of the study, possible risks, and what is supposed to be learned. 

Thinking about taking part

If you are taking part in a study remember:

  • it is always your choice
  • you can change your mind at any time
  • you will always receive the best possible care whether or not you are in a study
  • information about you is only shared with your consent
  • information collected about you is used only for the research study you consented to participate in



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