Clinical research typically occurs in large academic centres, urban city centres, and larger metropolitan areas, leaving the unsung heroes like community hospitals almost entirely out of the equation. However, by doing so, researchers miss out on some unique and potentially advancement-driven opportunities to further progress clinical research in Canada. Carley McPherson, Director of Research at Lakeridge Health, oversees the clinical trials research program and the research ethics board at the Durham Region, Ontario health system. She aims to “sustainably grow research capacity” at Lakeridge Health to improve clinical trial access, diversity, and patient care in Canada.
She acknowledges that the larger entities are great for their specialization capabilities, but community hospitals remain a massive untapped market in the clinical trial space.