UOIT Faculty of Health Sciences announces significant government funding as it launches new research unit

OSHAWA, Ont. - Demonstrating once again that the innovative research conducted on campus is making an impact on society, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) will announce details next week of a $374,200 grant from the HealthForceOntario's Interprofessional Care/Education Fund (ICEF) at the launch of the university's newly established Health Education Technology Research Unit (HETRU).

The media is invited to the launch to learn more about HETRU as it prepares to take an international role in improving the education of health sciences students and practitioners and meeting the challenges faced by today's health-care system.

HETRU was established as a result of the strong need for research related to the evidence-based use of advanced technologies in education, particularly within health sciences education, the school-to-practice transition and improved competencies at the professional level.

"Our goal is to create a leading evidence-based research unit for health education and technology in Canada," said Dr. Carolyn Byrne, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. "UOIT offers a unique opportunity to conduct research because we have a living laboratory already in place. Students enrolled in health sciences programs are immersed in technology not normally used in health sciences education, which puts them one step ahead when they graduate."

In addition, HETRU was designed to promote broadly-based partnerships among academic and corporate institutions internationally and highlight its unique and rigorous research programs in evidence-based teaching and the associated outcomes. It also provides technical assistance in the use of simulations to improve health-care education and training; leadership in the production of education materials based on evidence-based learning; and is currently seeking international research partnerships with additional post-secondary institutions, hospitals and industry to create research teams that will work towards solving complex problems in health-care education.

Training partnerships with the Durham Regional Police Services and Whitby Mental Health Centre have recently been established by HETRU members and been supported with two grants. Inukshuk Wireless, a Canada-wide wireless broadband network equally owned by Bell Canada and Rogers Communications, presented a $69,522 grant to provide first responder interactive simulation training, while the Canadian Council on Learning delivered a $40,856 grant to use simulation to engage police officers in learning about mental illness.

The ICEF grant will be used to research the complexities of interprofessional behaviours through the evaluation of competency assessments by HETRU members from UOIT, Lakeridge Health Corporation, Durham College, University of Toronto and McMaster University. HealthForceOntario is a collaborative of three provincial ministries and the ICEF aids the advancement and formation of interprofessional teams that are supportive of innovative health-education or health-care projects.

"UOIT has a national reputation for the simulation training provided to our students and we welcome the opportunity to further enhance the skills of working professionals," Dr. Ronald Bordessa, UOIT president. "These training partnerships prove that our programs meet the needs of today's knowledge-based economy and our innovative research is making an impact on society."

UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five prestigious Canada Research Chairs.

Who:
Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president, UOIT;
Dr. Richard Marceau, provost, UOIT; and
Dr. Carolyn Byrne, dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and HETRU administrator.

When:
Monday, April 7
11 a.m.

Where:
UOIT
Business and Information Technology building, second-floor mezzanine
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario

Parking:
Enter off of Simcoe Street and proceed to the Founders 1 parking lot.

About Ontario Tech University
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Media contact
Michelle Good
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2197
905.213.2735
michelle.good@uoit.ca