Review of the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) – Management Response Action Plan (MRAP)

Evaluation: Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
Evaluation completed: 2018/19
Evaluation lead: CIHR

Recommendation Response (Agree/Disagree) Management Action Plan Responsibility Timeline
1. The panel recommends that IHSPR continue with its current mandate. Agree As identified in CIHR's new strategic plan, CIHR will undertake a review of the Institute model as part of its commitment to organizational excellence (associated action plan strategy 2). Any results from that review will inform the overall Institute model. The Executive Vice President in collaboration with Governing Council 2024/25

2. The Panel recommends that CIHR and IHSPR clearly define their respective responsibilities and available resources to meet the interdependent needs of:

  1. IHSPR's mandate;
  2. the Health Systems and Services Research Theme (Pillar 3); and
  3. CIHR's legislated objective to excel in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into more effective health services and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
 Agree IHSPR and CIHR more broadly will align its activities and resources to support the broader CIHR strategic plan, including but not limited to the priorities that speak to health equity, knowledge mobilization, and health systems innovations The Vice-President, Research Programs and the Chief Financial Officer 2021/22
3. The panel recommends that the Institute continue to develop innovative initiatives to build capacity in health services and policy research. In particular, the Panel suggests that working with health system partners, IHSPR continue to explore mechanisms to engage those working in the health system to lead and execute research programs in partnership with the HSPR community. Agree IHSPR has engaged its research community in the development of its new Institute specific strategic plan, aligning with and complementing the broader CIHR strategic planning process. The new IHSPR strategic plan was launched in Spring 2021. Vice-President, Research Programs, in collaboration with the Scientific Director IHSPR 2021/22 (complete)
4. The Panel recommends that the next SD continue to engage the HSPR stakeholder community in order to both sustain and grow linkages between researchers, funding agencies, health services organizations, health charities and the 13 provincial and territorial health systems in Canada. The next SD should continue to engage with CHSPRA in developing its sustainability and closely monitor any changes in mandate or scope of the PCHOs, which could have an impact on IHSPR and the HSPR community. Agree IHSPR is engaging with CHSPRA and with other stakeholders (such as NAPHRO members) as part of its strategic planning process; IHSPR will continue to focus on training modernization to ensure its training programs respond to the needs of the HSPR community, for example through the Health System Impact Fellowship program. Associate Vice-President, Governance and External Relations in collaboration with the Scientific Director IHSPR. 2021/22
5. The Panel recommends that IHSPR continue the initiative it has taken to provide scientific leadership for the evolving Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR), given the direct relevance of SPOR to IHSPR's mandate and research and stakeholder communities. Agree IHSPR's Scientific Director and staff will support SPOR, continue to participate in CIHR's SPOR working group, and provide leadership on Pillar 3 (HSPR) elements. Vice-President, Research Programs, in collaboration with the Scientific Director IHSPR. 2021/22
6. The Panel recommends that the next Scientific Director complement his/her experience with that of the Institute staff selected in light of IHSPR's broad mandate relative to all other Institutes; and to continue to advance innovative research and ensure its translation to improve health care systems and services. Agree IHSPR is currently fully staffed up with a broad complement of expertise, including staff who can provide corporate memory. As identified in CIHR's new strategic plan, CIHR will undertake a review of the Institute model as part of its commitment to organizational excellence. Any results from that review will inform the overall Institute model. Vice-President, Research Programs, in collaboration with the Scientific Director IHSPR. 2024/25
Date modified: