A Cranbrook-based doctor earned an award for her work in bringing clinical medical research to the region.
Interior Health officials say the East Kootenay Regional Hospital (EKRH) is the health authority’s fourth and newest clinical research thanks to General Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Denise Jaworsky.
“We have been developing an East Kootenay clinical research program. This is a clinical trial program that aims to bring cutting-edge clinical trials to the East Kootenay,” said Jaworsky.
“This could include trials of new potential therapies, new uses of existing therapies or new ways of providing care. We’re doing it in a way to engage patients and members of the community so we can ensure our program caters to the needs of our local population.”
Dr. Jaworsky has won the Health Professional-Investigator Award from Michael Smith Health Research BC, which will drive her and her team’s efforts further.
Jaworsky says rural health care is typically under-serviced and covers a wide geographical area, making it difficult for patients to get care.
“If you look at the number of medicine specialists per 100,000 people, in the East Kootenay region there are 12 specialists per 100,000; but in Vancouver, there are 77,” explained Jaworsky.
“This makes it challenging for patients to access care without having to travel long distances, as small communities aren’t provided with programs and services that are available in larger cities.”
While the program is relatively new, Jaworsky found that people in the East Kootenay are eager to hear about research.
“This includes the public, our local College of the Rockies, the UBC Clinical faculty, our front-line health providers and the administration with Interior Health,” said Jaworsky.
“We’re challenging the assumptions that rural communities aren’t interested or have the capacity to be involved in clinical research.”
Jaworsky hopes this work will spur further positive change in rural health care.
“I’d like to see more local solutions to health care challenges, and for those solutions to be backed by institution and provincial funding,” said Jaworsky.
“I want to see more people from the East Kootenay region who are trained and supported to be part of our health workforce, so we can all be a part of contributing to healthy communities.”
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