DONOR-FUNDED RESEARCH TRANSFORMS LIVES

Every year, donor-funded research grants are given to promising researchers in women’s health. One exciting project is transforming the way rehabilitation for breast cancer patients in BC is delivered after surgery.

Dr. Kristin Campbell is the recipient of the $25,000 Janet and Ian Wilson Catalyst Grant. Her research project – Preferences and Perspectives for Upper-Body Rehabilitation in Post-Operative Survivors of Breast Cancer (PURPOSE BC) – addresses the fact that few healthcare settings in BC deliver specialized rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery.

“There is limited access to physical therapy in our public health system, especially in rural areas. This grant allowed us to go around the province, identify the gaps in care, and set the stage to change how programming could be done to meet the needs of women after breast cancer surgery.” explains Dr. Kristin Campbell, Catalyst Grant recipient

This gap leaves women without access to appropriate care, worried about developing serious upper-body health issues, and unprepared to manage issues that arise. Moving forward, Dr. Campbell is excited to be working with two provincial health authorities to change how this specialized physiotherapy is provided.

“The Catalyst Grant allowed us to undertake a key step in developing a new approach to how physiotherapy services are delivered in our province. This research ensures that education and information will be available to all women in BC!” says Dr. Campbell.

With the success of the Janet and Ian Wilson Catalyst Grant, she is now ready for the next stage of testing the full model of physiotherapy care in BC – for better access and outcomes for women.

Learn more about our women’s health research initiatives.