Education has increased the awareness of patients, the public, and the medical profession which has led to better diagnosis and treatment. Only through research can these diseases and disorders be treated properly or cured. Funds are issued annually to doctors conducting research via the University of British Columbia and its teaching hospitals. The grant value has been increasing annually, in keeping with our commitment to expand funding for bowel disease research. SIR has supported a number of significant clinical and basic research projects through its annual research grant process.
Clinical research involves studies on patients, usually testing a new drug or new technique.
Basic research does not involve patients directly and may include studies on cells, biochemical reactions and metabolic reactions. Basic research is aimed at understanding the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of a condition. Pathogenesis refers to the primary cause of the disease and patho-physiology refers to understanding the disease process once it is established. Support for research also involves training people in all aspects of research. The Society has awarded grants for doctors to travel to other parts of the world to study and train under the direction of highly specialized skilled personnel in the field of gastroenterology.