We work tirelessly to create an environment where excellent clinical research thrives. Our expert staff and specialized facilities support more than 1,000 active research projects involving patients on the BC Children's Hospital campus.

Our clinical researchers also benefit from the general research support provided by the Research Institute.

If you are affiliated with the Research Institute, please visit ResearchHub to learn more. For general questions about clinical research support, contact the Clinical Research Support Unit manager at crsusupport@bcchr.ca. 

Biobanking Support

The BC Children's Hospital BioBank provides services to support researcher with their studies. Services include:

  • Consent
  • Coordination of sample collection
  • Processing of samples
  • Clinical data collection
  • Secure storage of samples

Biostatistics Services (Study Design, Methodology & Statistics)

Consultants assist with research project development, study design and methodology, statistical analysis and data management. 

Clinical Research & Evaluation Facilities 

These three clinical research units provide equipment and facilities for research studies:

  • The Clinical Research & Evaluation Unit provides eight exam rooms, wet and dry storage rooms, and a staff study-coordination room for minimally invasive studies. 
  • The Medical Day Unit is a twelve bed day treatment and diagnostic unit that provides a safe and effective environment for children and youth requiring medical treatments, diagnostic tests, and procedures. 
  • The Biobehavioural Testing Unit is a dedicated space for multidisciplinary research that seeks an integrated understanding of the biologic, behavioural and social determinants of child development. 

Clinical Research Education

The Research Education office provides professional development and networking opportunities for the clinical research community at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. This includes workshops, lunch & learns and online resources. 

Clinical Research Support Unit

The Clinical Research Support Unit provides consultative and practical support for researchers conducting sponsor-initiated or investigator-initiated clinical trials. Qualified research staff are available for hire for Investigators seeking part-time or temporary support for their research studies. 

Data Management

The Data Management team provides consultation and services related to data management, standardization, or harmonization. A database platform with REDCap software is available to meet the needs of a broad range of medical and health research studies. The Clinical Informatics Specialist offers consultation and collaboration with the application of informatics to clinical, population and basic research projects. 

Health Information Management 

Health Information Management assists in retrieving medical records when needed for approved studies. 

Health Services Research 

The consultant offers consultation and collaboration on research projects related to health economics and health services research, such as health care program evaluation, performance measurement, and indicator development.

In addition, Population Data BC (PopData) offers researchers access to one of the world’s largest collections of health care, health services and population health data, and a comprehensive education and training service on how to best use those data.

Laboratory Services

A hospital-based research coordinator set ups clinical laboratory services for individual clinical research studies on a cost-recovery basis.

Pharmacy Services

A hospital-based research coordinator sets up pharmacy services for individual clinical research studies on a cost-recovery basis.

Quality Assurance

A clinical research quality assurance specialist implements quality assurance processes, risk mitigation strategies, training, education, and support to the research community at the BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre as part of a PHSA-wide clinical research quality assurance program.

BC Children's Hospital Research Institute is also a member organization of Network of Networks (N2), a national initiative led by research networks and other stakeholders to enhance Canada's research capability and capacity. With gratitude we acknowledge, Clinical Trials BC who provides funding to enable BC Children's Hospital researchers and staff access to N2’s online resources developed to improve the quality of clinical research.

Research Ethics Board

The University of British Columbia / Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of British Columbia Research Ethics Board (UBC C&W REB) reviews all clinical and behavioural studies involving human participants to ensure they meet rigorous ethical standards and ensure the well-being of participants. Our UBC-affiliated Research Ethics Board (REB) serves the Oak Street campus.

For more information, please visit PHSA's research ethics website. Please contact the UBC C&W REB at cwreb@bcchr.ubc.ca or 604-875-3103.