Research Challenge

The BC Cancer Practice-Based Research Challenge is an innovative approach that bridges the gap between clinical practice and research by empowering teams of point-of-care clinical staff to identify challenging clinical issues and find evidence-based answers through research.

Practice-Based research is a systematic approach oriented to finding answers to everyday problems of clinical practice with the purpose of improving the work of practitioners for the benefit of patients. PBR links relevant research questions of practicing clinicians with different research methods to produce research results that are more easily assimilated into everyday practice and to support practice and policy change that directly impact quality of care.

The Practice-Based Research Challenge is an annual program that offers BC Cancer employees with limited or no research experience the opportunity to learn basic research skills and work with a mentor to develop a small research project that has potential to improve practice and patient care. The BC Cancer Nursing and Allied Health Research and Knowledge Translation department is pleased to announce the next cohort intake of this program will launch in January 2025

The Research Challenge will:

• Help you learn about research and conduct your own clinical practice project
• Provide you training, mentorship and funding 
• Answer a question you have about your own clinical practice or in an area of interest to improve patient care

The Research Challenge is open to non-physician employees of BC Cancer who have little or no research experience, and have limited opportunities to get funding and training to lead research projects.

1. Review the Research Challenge timeline and guidelines.
2. Form a team of 2 or more people. At least one member has to be a point-of-care staff. Teams can be inter-professional.
3. Designate a team leader (must be 0.5 FTE or greater, full/part time, employed at BC Cancer for a minimum of one year).
4. Complete and submit the letter of intent by February 11, 2025

2024 Info Session Recording:

View Information Slides

Learn more about Research Challenge Projects that are being done by BC Cancer Nurses and Allied Health Professionals:

2024 Research Challenge

• Evaluating Surface Contamination of 5 Oral Antineoplastic Drugs in a Canadian Cancer Care Centre Non-Compounding Pharmacy (E-SCOLD)
• Trauma-Informed Brachytherapy ​
• Investigating the Prevalence and Factors Behind Missed Pre-Appointment Tests
• Is there an Association Between the Degree of Neurological Side Effects and Infusion Reactions in Patients Receiving Oxaliplatin?
• Exploring the Factors Influencing the Decision-Making Process in BRCA 1 and 2 Carriers who are a Candidate for Prophylactic Mastectomy vs Enhanced Breast Screening Imaging in a BC High Risk Clinic

2023 Research Challenge

• Understanding Factors that Influence Care Providers Decisions to Use Telemedicine or In Person Appointments in the Oncology Patient Population
• Uncovering the Care Needs of Cancer Patients Receiving Brachytherapy Treatment through a Trauma-Informed Care Perspective
• Exploring the Role of Healthcare Architecture in Cancer Patients

2022 Research Challenge

• Exploring the use of a radiation therapist patient navigator in tailoring radiation therapy education to the needs of the patient
• Evaluating a MSLA 3D printer for radiotherapy
• ​Exploring the effects of delaying LA_SSA treatment on patient symptoms and experience as a result of scheduling DOTATOC PET scans

2021 Research Challenge

• Radiation Therapists’ perspective on the impact of COVID-19 precautions in clinical practice
• Use of PRO-based multidisciplinary intervention in gynecologic oncology patients receiving active systemic therapy
• Direct Contact -exploring the attitudes of hereditary cancer patients to a supported direct-contact approach for informing relatives about cascade testing
• Understanding the Lived Experience of Individuals with Late Radiation Associated Dysphagia (Late RAD)
• Supplemental E-mail Instructions for FDG PET/Ct Scans: Investigating the Impact on Preparation Complaiance Rate

2019 Research Challenge

• Evaluating home-based cleaning and storage techniques for enteral feeding equipment
• Examining the experience of persons undergoing cancer treatment who observe other patients ring the milestone bell
• Nurse-Patient Interactions in the Genitourinary Oncology Ambulatory Clinic Setting

I want to be involved, but do not know much about research – can I still participate?

The Research Challenge is perfect for you! It has been designed to teach beginners the basics of research.

Who can apply to participate in the Challenge?

The challenge is designed to provide a team-based experience to support point-of-care staff who have little or no research experience (e.g. conducting research is not part of your job description). To be eligible, teams must:

• Include at least one point-of-care staff member (i.e. maintains a clinical practice and is not purely managerial or in an education/research role).
• Be a minimum of two people per team (but we recommend 3+ people to better share the workload and coordinate attendance to workshops).
• Designate a team leader (must be full/part time, employed at BC Cancer for a minimum of one year).

How much research award money is available for teams who win the challenge?

Successful teams will receive a maximum of $5,000 in award funding.

What will be expected of participants?

Applicants will find team members and submit the Letter of Intent (LOI). Teams who’s LOI are accepted are expected to complete the online curriculum and participate in the interactive webinars. At least one team member should attend the webinars. Each session builds upon the other; we recommend that teams work in their research proposals in between sessions to bring questions and maximize the benefits of the webinars. The time spent on the project will need to be negotiated between staff applying for the Research Challenge and their manager. It is expected teams develop and submit a research proposal (with support from their mentor). Teams whose projects are selected will be supported with funds and a mentor (if not already identified) to conduct their research project over an 18-month period.

Including a patient/family partner is mandatory. It will give you an additional edge as a mentor from BC Support Unit will provide additional guidance and mentorship to your project.

What will the Research Challenge funding cover?

Funds are available for use after the ethics application has been approved (if required). Eligible expenses include: staff time to work on the project, salaries for research assistants, transcription costs, consultant fees for data analysis, purchase of small equipment (less than $100 usually), office supplies, conference fees (only if presenting), software and survey licenses.

What are the expected outputs of the challenge?

Funded teams are expected to submit three quarterly progress reports over the period of the study and one final report. In addition, all participants are required to participate in the online surveys to enable us to improve the process.

What can be the role of patient partners in research?

Patient partners could partner in the research study in multiple ways. For example, prioritizing research questions, identifying select patient oriented outcomes, co-applicant in funding applications, assist in interpreting study results etc. Active collaboration between researchers and members of the public and patients is now recognized as best applied clinical research practice.

How do I know if my project is better suited for the KT Challenge vs the Practice-Based Research Challenge?

If you are unsure which challenge is the best fit for your project, check out the RC vs KTC Decision Tree. If you still have questions please email research.kt@bccancer.bc.ca