Development of a biocompatible 3D hydrogel scaffold using continuous liquid interface production for the delivery of cell therapies to treat recurrent glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor diagnosed in adults, carrying with it an extremely poor prognosis and limited options for effective treatment. Various cell therapies have emerged as promising candidates for GBM treatment but fail in the clinic due to poor tumor trafficking, poor transplantation efficiency, and high systemic toxicity. In this study, we design, characterize, and test a 3D-printed cell delivery platform that can enhance the survival of therapeutic cells implanted in the GBM resection cavity.

A Virtual Community of Practice to Support Physician Uptake of a Novel Abortion Practice: Mixed Methods Case Study.

Background: Virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) have been used to support innovation and quality in clinical care. The drug mifepristone was introduced in Canada in 2017 for medical abortion. We created a VCoP to support implementation of mifepristone abortion practice across Canada.

Coastal Mental Health and Substance Use Services' COVID-19 Response: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Health organizations play a pivotal role during pandemic preparedness, response and recovery. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vancouver Coastal Health, BC, adapted their delivery of mental health and substance use services. Healthcare providers were required to be flexible while continuing to provide patient care.

Pharmacist dispensing of the abortion pill in Canada: Diffusion of Innovation meets integrated knowledge translation.

Background: Since Canadian drug regulatory approval of mifepristone for medical abortion in 2015 and its market availability in January 2017, the role of pharmacists in abortion provision has changed rapidly. We sought to identify the factors that influenced the initiation and provision of medical abortion from the perspectives of Canadian pharmacists, bridging two frameworks - Diffusion of Innovation in Health Service Organizations and integrated knowledge translation.

Methods: We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with pharmacists residing in Canada who intended to stock and dispense mifepristone within the first year of availability.

Perspectives Among Canadian Physicians on Factors Influencing Implementation of Mifepristone Medical Abortion: A National Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Access to family planning health services in Canada has been historically inadequate and inequitable. A potential solution appeared when Health Canada approved mifepristone, the gold standard for medical abortion, in July 2015. We sought to investigate the factors that influence successful initiation and ongoing provision of medical abortion services among Canadian health professionals and how these factors relate to abortion policies, systems, and service access throughout Canada.

Slow implementation of mifepristone medical termination of pregnancy in Quebec, Canada: a qualitative investigation.

Mifepristone for first-trimester medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) became available in Quebec in 2018, one year after the rest of Canada. Using the theory of the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and the transtheoretical model of change (TTM), we investigated factors influencing the implementation of mifepristone MTOP in Quebec. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 37 Quebec physicians in early 2018.

Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of First Trimester Medical Abortion With Mifepristone in the Province of Québec: A Qualitative Investigation.

Objective: Mifepristone became available in Canada in January 2017, but provincial medical policy delayed its use for medical abortion (MA) in Québec for 1 year. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators experienced by physicians who could potentially provide this newer abortion practice in Québec.

Methods: This study was part of the Canadian Contraception and Abortion Research Team-Mifepristone Implementation Study, an observational, prospective, mixed-methods study.

Implementation of mifepristone medical abortion in Canada: pilot and feasibility testing of a survey to assess facilitators and barriers.

Background: Direct primary care provision of first-trimester medical abortion could potentially address inequitable abortion access in Canada. However, when Health Canada approved the combination medication Mifegymiso® (mifepristone 200 mg/misoprostol 800 mcg) for medical abortion in July 2015, we hypothesized that the restrictions to distribution, prescribing, and dispensing would impede the uptake of this evidence-based innovation in primary care. We developed and pilot-tested a survey related to policy and practice facilitators and barriers to assess successful initiation and ongoing clinical provision of medical abortion service by physicians undertaking mifepristone training.

Pharmacotherapy of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results from the Randomized BAART Clinical Trial.

The objective of this trial, Biomarkers in Autism of Aripiprazole and Risperidone Treatment (BAART), was to provide support and guidance for an evidence-based approach for the selection and monitoring of initial pharmacotherapy in patients with autism by assessing predictors of efficacy, tolerability, and safety. This randomized double-blind parallel-group study was conducted in three academic medical centers and a single private pediatric practice. Eighty children or adolescents (aged 6-17 yrs) with autistic disorder were enrolled, and 61 patients were randomized to the study drug.

Could implementation of mifepristone address Canada's urban-rural abortion access disparity: a mixed-methods implementation study protocol.

Introduction: In January 2017, mifepristone-induced medical abortion was made available in Canada. In this study, we will seek to (1) understand facilitators and barriers to the implementation of mifepristone across Canada, (2) assess the impact of a 'community of practice' clinical and health service support platform and (3) engage in and assess the impact of integrated knowledge translation (iKT) activities aimed to improve health policy, systems and service delivery issues to enhance patient access to mifepristone.

Methods And Analysis: This prospective mixed-methods implementation study will involve a national sample of physicians and pharmacists recruited via an online training programme, professional networks and a purpose-built community of practice website.