Two Centres of Research Excellence
While CMCC has historically been involved in both clinical and basic science studies, our long term research focus will be on clinical studies. With this in mind, our agenda includes establishing two centres as the foundation for that research – one to study the mechanics of treatment, and the other to study health policy and patient access to treatment. With these two areas as our primary focus, chiropractic research at CMCC will continue to elevate the quality of education and help improve patient care.
1. The Centre for the Study of Mechanobiology, Injury, and Health
This Centre (with an associated Research Chair) will investigate how mechanical stresses of everyday activities, and the physical therapeutic interventions to treat them, can influence cell and tissue function for health or disease. This is the realm of chiropractic.
We will investigate the role of connective tissue – bone, joint, ligament, muscle and nerve – in health and disease. That means putting new emphasis on the fundamental issue of tissue mechanotransduction – the manner in which physical treatment is communicated between tissues to achieve its effect. How cells convert mechanical stimulus into tissue and cellular function, which can lead to more changes within the body.
Researchers and clinicians will work together to learn how to optimize the effects of care, using approaches ranging from the macroscopic to the cellular. We’ll investigate the mechanisms of injury, how to optimize treatment, and the development of skill in manual therapy procedures.
CMCC investigators are working independently and in collaboration with international teams. Clinical and laboratory studies conducted in conjunction with faculty will involve the Biomechanics and Elastography laboratory, Tissue Testing laboratory, and Cellular, Molecular Biology, and Histology Laboratory.
2. The Centre for Interprofessional Health Dynamics
The Centre for Interprofessional Health Dynamics will investigate the dynamics of interprofessional care and its impact on public health, health policy and chiropractic practice. Health policy and systems dynamics researchers will study the role of chiropractic in total health care, and how integrated health care can benefit patients and society. to improve patient access to care, quality and comprehensiveness of care and more effective use of resources.
CMCC chiropractors are collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in St. Michael’s Hospital, and finding that it improves patient satisfaction and quality of care. This innovative model of care has been named an International Best Practice by the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Health agencies in other provinces, the U.S. and Australia have inquired about the benefits and its implementation.
CMCC will continue pioneering work in models of health care, conducting clinical studies and using population databases on health care with computer modeling of systems and their responses to change.
Health care policy makers care about making health care accessible, both geographically and economically, to all patients. They want to do what’s best to reduce wait times, improve patient care and satisfaction. With expertise in policy development, we will be able to evaluate its projected impact through systems dynamics. The Centre will be able to inform policy and support those who implement that policy.