Best Brains Exchanges Brochure

Evidence on tap: Best brains exchange

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Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Best Brains Exchange: responding to Canadian health priorities

The objective of the Best Brains Exchange program is to deliver high-quality, timely and accessible evidence that is of immediate interest and use to senior government policy decision makers. The program was created as part of CIHR's Evidence On Tap initiative to increase engagement with provincial and territorial ministries of health, as well as Health Canada, and to deliver evidence that responds to their priorities.

What does a Best Brains Exchange look like?

Best Brains Exchanges are one-day, in camera meetings for policy decision makers and researchers focused on a topic of high priority to the health ministries and Health Canada. They are a forum to highlight existing and relevant research evidence, to outline best practices that may be important for consideration, and to candidly discuss the applicability of the research. Best Brains Exchanges are an informal forum for interaction, exchange and mutual learning, to support and facilitate the sharing and use of information on a high-priority topic.

Once the focus of the session is confirmed, CIHR mobilizes the best researchers to present the best available evidence

Unlike other CIHR programs, this is not an open funding opportunity. Best Brains Exchanges are planned based on the identified needs and timelines of the provincial/territorial ministries and Health Canada. Examples of Best Brains Exchanges:

• Physician compensation models
• Developing and implementing a framework for patient- and family-centred care
• Using electronic health records to improve chronic disease management and prevention
• Health inequalities, health policy and the social determinants of health of First Nations communities
• Strategies to mitigate impacts of cost-drivers

"The Best Brains Exchange was pivotal in providing the NWT Health and Social Service system with critical information and best evidence, viewpoints and considerations… The unique format, expert speakers, researchers and key stakeholders added to the success of knowledge translation and provided critical capacity to the NWT. Definitely value added for us." – Paddy Meade, Deputy Minister, Northwest Territories - Department of Health and Social Services

To find out more, contact the Knowledge Translation Branch: kse-sec@cihr-irsc.gc.ca