This text is part of the special section Philanthropy
In addition to providing care to the population, the Sacré-Coeur hospital pursues many important research projects to advance medicine and science.
Beyond its essential function as a hospital center serving the north of the island, the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal is an important university research center, a mission at the heart of its activities which is unknown to the public and is supported by its foundation.
About 250 researchers work in the various research centers of the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, and of these, around 200 are attached to the Sacré-Coeur hospital. This is where the majority of research projects are conducted.
“It’s mostly clinical research, with patients,” says Daniel Sinnett, director of research and innovation at the CIUSSS du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. There’s also a bit of basic research, and that goes from the lab to the patients. This is called translational research, which makes it possible to start from basic research to meet clinical research needs. We also have an important component of more social and psychosocial research, with the Montreal Behavioral Medicine Centre. »
Lines of research
Among the major areas of research at the Sacré-Coeur hospital, we find sleep and its disorders, as well as chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, nephrology, cancer and even lung problems.
“We deal in particular with what are called hospital-centric problems, that is to say that we have patients in the hospital during their episodes of care, but that we follow them when they return home. and we make the link with the support they receive afterwards,” says Daniel Sinnett.
Another large area of research at Sacré-Coeur concerns traumatology. A new integrated trauma center opened its doors this fall and serves 1.8 million Quebecers affected by trauma.
“It’s a so-called supraregional center of excellence, which receives a large volume of patients and is a gold mine for research projects,” continues Daniel Sinnett. There’s a lot of research being done on head trauma and spinal cord injuries, or spinal cord injuries. They are often road accident victims, injured in the head, neck and back. We also have knee and shoulder joint experts. So we cover the whole human body. »
In all clinical research projects, patients participate on a voluntary basis. Participating in research can have direct or indirect benefits for them.
“We clearly explain the protocols to them and they know what they are getting into,” says Daniel Sinnett. This can give them access to certain drugs or treatments that will perhaps help them, but in a context where the benefits of research can only be felt five or ten years later, they often do so out of altruism, to help others. others affected by the same medical conditions. They know that they are helping to improve knowledge about their disease. »
Building the best teams
About 70% of Sacré-Coeur researchers come from the University of Montreal, with which the hospital is celebrating 50 years of partnership this year. The other 30% come from other universities, including McGill, Concordia, UQAM, UQTR, and ETS.
“Building a strategic research program is a bit like building a hockey team. We try to find the best players, but we are not the only ones who want them. Our competition is global. »
The development of research strategies is determined, among other things, based on the critical mass of patients followed by the hospital and its medical specialties. It is also dependent on the interests of researchers, their success, and the ability to raise funds to finance research projects.
Sacred Heart Hospital Foundation
For 50 years, the Sacré-Coeur Hospital Foundation has supported research projects.
“Over the years, this one has given us 20 to 25 million dollars. This money is used to buy equipment, upgrade premises, recruit researchers and provide scholarships to our students. It is therefore a very important partner for the success of our plan, while the Université de Montréal plays a role in the careers of the researchers we recruit. »
On the other hand, in addition to its financial support, the Foundation is an important lever in the search for other donors.
“When we submit funding requests to the government, having the Foundation behind us, ready to invest in a project, proves convincing and helps us defend our cause. It is an essential partner and we could not accomplish our research mission without it. »
For more information on the Montreal Sacré-Coeur Hospital Foundation, go to fondationhscm.org
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