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ONF Trainee Awards Contribute to Capacity Building in Neurotrauma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Jane Turner
Affiliation:
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
Dan Turner
Affiliation:
Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Richard J. Riopelle
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Kent Bassett-Spiers
Affiliation:
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
Corinne Kagan
Affiliation:
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
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Abstract

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Objective:

Injury to the brain and spinal cord is one of the most catastrophic and costly occurrences in the Ontario health system. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of past Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) studentships and fellowships in terms of capacity building in the neurotrauma field in Ontario.

Method:

An online, cross sectional survey amongst past recipients of studentships and fellowships that terminated prior to July 2005. Explicit data were collected on various aspects of career development including current activity, awards and publications.

Results:

Thirty-six out of 42 (86%) eligible past trainees responded; 12 (33%) were Masters students, 12 (33%) were PhD students and 12 (33%) were Post-Doctoral students. A majority of the recipients (61%) are currently involved in neurotrauma-related activities (clinical, research and teaching) in more than 20% of their time, with no substantial differences between the degree groups. Half the recipients are currently involved in neurotrauma-related research in more than 20% of their time. The awardees published 1.5 peer-review manuscripts/person-year and received multiple awards. A high majority of our recipients (86%) feel that the ONF award had a substantial impact on their career.

Conclusions:

A high proportion of past award recipients remain involved in neurotrauma activities, especially in research. These results may lead to a cautious conclusion of the positive impact of the ONF studentships and fellowships on neurotrauma capacity building. These results should be considered in strategic planning of funding agencies similar to ONF.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ: <span class='italic'> <span class='bold'>Objectif</span></span>:

Les lésions traumatiques du cerveau et de la moelle épinière sont parmi les pathologies les plus catastrophiques et les plus coûes dans le système de santé ontarien. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact des bourses de perfectionnement de l'Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) sur l'accroissement des compétences en neurotraumatologie en Ontario.

<span class='italic'> <span class='bold'>Méthode</span></span>:

Nous avons procédé à une enquête transversale en ligne ciblant les récipiendaires de bourses de perfectionnement qui ont terminé leur stage avant juillet 2005. Des données explicites sur différents aspects de leur cheminement de carrière, particulièrement en ce qui concerne les activités actuelles, les bourses et subventions et les publications ont été recueillies.

<span class='italic'> <span class='bold'>Résultats</span></span>:

Trente-six des 42 stagiaires éligibles (86%) ont répondu au sondage. Parmi eux, 12 (33%) étaient des étudiants à la maîise, 12 (33%) étaient des étudiants au doctorat et 12 (33)% étaient des étudiants post-doctoraux. La majorité des récipiendaires (61%) consacrent actuellement plus de 20% de leur temps de travail à des activités reliées à la neurotraumatologie (clinique, recherche et enseignement), sans différence substantielle entre les différents niveaux de formation. La moitié des récipiendaires consacrent actuellement plus de 20% de leur temps à la recherche en neurotraumatologie. Ils ont publié en moyenne 1,5 article évalué par des pairs par personne-année et ils ont reçu plusieurs subventions. La grande majorité des récipiendaires de nos bourses (86%) considèrent que la bourse qu'ils ont reçu de l'ONF a eu un impact important sur leur carrière.

<span class='italic'> <span class='bold'>Conclusions</span></span>:

Une grande proportion des boursiers demeurent impliqués dans des activités reliées à la neurotraumatologie, surtout en recherche. Ces résultats nous portent à conclure que les bourses de l'ONF, tant au niveau du premier cycle universitaire que des deuxième ou troisième cycles, ont un impact positif sur l'accroissement des compétences en neurotraumatologie. On devrait tenir compte de ces résultats dans la planification stratégique d'organismes de fmancement comme l'ONF.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2008

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