Research & You

The Heart Centre is committed to research in order to find new solutions to help people with heart conditions.

Research in The Heart Centre

Our research partnerships range from “Basic Science” research to “Clinical” research which includes testing new drugs and medical devices, and also research that looks at people’s behaviour in relation to their health. . Sometimes research projects cover more than one of these areas.

The research staff working in the Heart Centre are affiliated with numerous universities around the province. During your time at St Paul’s Hospital you may be approached by a team member about participating in a research study. There are many types of research going on at St. Paul’s ranging from testing new drugs and mechanical devices to research that examines how certain treatments make you feel. The information here is intended to give you information about the research process.

More information about research studies and how they are approved and supervised can be found at Providence Health Care's Research website. 

Your involvement with research often begins when you are invited to read a consent form about a potential research study. These forms provide detailed information about the study. If you wish to be a part of a study, and you are suitable, you will be invited to sign the consent form and you will be given a copy.

Participation in any research study is voluntary and if you decide not to join, it will not otherwise affect your medical care at all.

Clinical Research

Clinical science involves research that directly involves our patients - like trying new drugs or devices to help the heart work better.

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Basic Science

Basic science research is sometimes called “bench research” that is, looking at genes, dna, blood or tissue samples. It gives us clues about how the body works and responds to things.

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Nursing and Behavioural Research

Behavioural research looks at how our minds and our bodies are linked as well as how we respond emotionally to illness.

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