We believe that research is care. Nova Scotia Health is changing people’s lives through research by championing advances in therapies and leveraging multidisciplinary approaches to improve access to care. Physicians, nurses, researchers, 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.
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 and the Centre of Excellence in Surgical Robotics, plus, our close affiliation with Dalhousie University ensures strong basic research support and maximum crossover from laboratory to clinical application.
Current research areas
Research areas currently being investigated by Nova Scotia Health research teams and partners include:
- 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
Provincial medical research consent program
Nova Scotia’s medical research consent program gives individuals the choice to opt in to medical research when renewing their health card. Through the opt in consent program, Nova Scotians can choose whether they wish to be contacted about relevant research opportunities and whether their health information or biological samples may be considered for approved research uses. Learn more.
NovaStudies Connect
NovaStudies Connect makes it easier for the public to find out about medical research happening across Nova Scotia. It's an online search platform that lists current and upcoming clinical studies and trials in Nova Scotia and connects people with research teams to learn more about taking part in specific studies. Visit NovaStudies Connect
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
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.
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.
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 single 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.
