We believe that research is care. Nova Scotia Health is changing people’s lives through research by championing advances in therapy and leveraging multidisciplinary approaches to improve access to care. Physicians, nurses, and clinical care teams work in a collaborative environment with academic partners to translate research insights into improved patient and systems outcomes. Leveraging our globally renowned research strengths enables us to effectively work toward our vision and goals to transform health for Nova Scotians
Extensive research expertise
The foundation of our research prowess is the people we work with. On our team we have experienced principal investigators, physicians, nurses, laboratory technologists, pharmacists, and other health care professionals including many nationally and internationally recognized experts in a wide range of fields. We also have dedicated research personnel, all of whom are externally funded from research projects
Deep research experience
We currently oversee active clinical research in at least 30 major disciplines including specialty areas such as brain repair, cancer, cardiac sciences, and enteroviruses. The QEII is the regional centre for the Canadian HIV Trials Network, plus, our close affiliation with Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine ensures strong basic research support and maximum crossover from laboratory to clinical application.
Stable, reliable patient base
Our base of patients is reliable, with a history of genuine interest and willingness to participate in health-related studies. This offers invaluable research continuity, particularly for multi-year studies.
Advanced technologies and facilities
With access to advanced technologies we have unparalleled ability to conduct challenging research. For example, the Sanofi Pasteur Vaccine Challenge Unit—a ten bed inpatient unit with singe isolation rooms at IWK Health—is a first of its kind in Canada. We also have access to the Skills Centre for Health Sciences, a 4,000 square-foot facility that health care professionals use to rehearse medical procedures in realistic conditions. And our well-developed telemedicine networks enable researchers to include patients in remote areas.
Dedicated administrative knowhow
Research is more likely to go well when administrative expertise keeps the project running smoothly. We have contract and grant facilitation and support; comprehensive education for research personnel, investigators and research ethics board members; financial and human resource management for research projects; and timely ethical review according to national and international guidelines and regulations.
Current research areas
Researchers at the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub are currently investigating hundreds of ways to improve health care delivery and increase Nova Scotians' quality of life. Following are just a few areas of health care research currently being investigated:
- Anesthesiology
- Cancer
- Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hematology
- Neuroscience
- Nephrology
- Orthopaedics
- Ophthalmology
- Psychiatry
- Radiology
- Respirology
- Rheumatology
- Transplantation
- Urology
Research types, services, and supports
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials enable us to bring new medicines, therapies, interventions, and devices to our province, providing clinicians and patients with access to cutting-edge treatment options that can potentially shape national or global clinical practice. At any given time, there are hundreds of clinical trials underway at Nova Scotia Health. Learn more.
Affiliate Scientists
Nova Scotia Health grants affiliate scientist appointments to researchers who are working with clinical and community health care teams, as part of the organization’s academic mandate of working in partnership with local universities and colleges. Learn more
Ethics and regulatory oversight
At Nova Scotia Health, all research projects involving patients, staff, resources, or data are reviewed and approved by our Research Ethics Board (REB) before the research begins. Learn more
Our services
We offer sustainable support to our principal investigators, physicians, and clinical care teams and facilitate research excellence. Learn more
Contract support
Many different forms of contracted research take place at Nova Scotia Health. If you’re invited by a company, external site, colleague, or collaborator to participate in a research study, or if you've developed a protocol and are interested inviting external sites, funders, partners, or companies to participate or collaborate, different contractual considerations apply. Learn more
Investing in research
Nova Scotia Health supports our researchers in pursuing and obtaining a wide range of funding, including internal and external grants and awards. Learn more