Program Director's Report
HPME Year in Review
In the past few years, HPME has undergone tremendous growth and change. We have witnessed an upsurge in the scope of research and educational programs, the degree of interdisciplinary collaboration and the impact of knowledge produced on policy and practice. In 2004, HPME faculty played a leading role in debates over the public-private mix of national health care funding, patient safety, the development of provincial Local Health Integration Networks, and the organization of home and community care. Our clinician scientists are building the evidence base that is needed to improve the quality of care and to shape the future delivery of health services.
Growth in Health Services Research
HPME brings together research and educational initiatives that span clinical, health services and social science perspectives in five key areas: health policy, health services organization and management, health services outcomes and evaluation, clinical evaluative sciences, and e-health and informatics. Research grants have steadily increased over the past 3 years, from $2.7M in 2002 to $4.8M in 2004 (68% growth). Research collaborations have also steadily increased in performance measurement and evaluation (Hospital Report) and home and community care (M-THAC and HCTP) programs.
New Building, New Image
As a result of this spectacular growth, every bit of office space in HPME's current facility (the McMurrich building) has been filled to capacity. Work is currently underway to renovate new office and classroom space at 155 College Street (formerly occupied by the Toronto Board of Education). HPME will share the building with the department of Public Health Sciences, Family and Community Medicine and the Faculty of Nursing. Everyone is looking forward to occupying the new space in the Fall of 2005.
Along with the physical makeover, HPME is working to improve its communications strategy to improve the profile of the research and educational activities undertaken by Faculty associated with the department. Some tangible things to look for in the next year include the development of a departmental brochure and website redesign. One important lesson we have learned about knowledge transfer is that sustained, interactive relationships are more important than print documents in transferring knowledge into practice. Our knowledge transfer strategy will continue to emphasize sharing knowledge within the department and affiliated organizations and with all stakeholders in health services research, policy and care delivery.
Key Priorities in 2005
Key priorities in the 2005 HPME academic plan are to increase our capacity as a leading health services research centre, become a world renowned training centre for clinician scientists and a model of excellence in graduate education through the development of innovative programs, and continue our collaborations with policymakers and health service executives. HPME is committed to the realization of the University's Academic Plan to be a leader among the world's best public teaching and research universities in the discovery, preservation and sharing of knowledge through its commitment to excellence and quality in teaching and research.