10. CANADIAN POLICY RESEARCH NETWORK
http://www.cprn.comThe Ottawa-based Canadian Policy Research Network (CPRN) is often overlooked as a source of information because it is not primarily a health research organization. Its mission is "to create knowledge and lead public debate on the social dimensions of economic change." The organization operates three networks (family, work and health), as well as a special project examining the non-profit sector. The health network is based in Victoria, and is headed by Marcus Hollander.
The web site is attractive and - so far - relatively straightforward, organized around the three networks.
The health network page does not have a great deal of content yet, but there are some surprises for a relatively new organization that speak to the high calibre researchers involved with CPRN. One link, New Projects of the Health Network, indicates that the network has undertaken a study to determine the measurement instruments needed for a cost-effectiveness study of home care services compared to residential care for seniors. Other work includes a framework for evaluating the impact of regionalization on health services for the elderly for the National Advisory Council on Aging, and a project commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health to analyze strengths and weaknesses of various resource allocation and reimbursement models.
The first issue of the Health Newsletter was posted in December 1996, and the next issue is due if CPRN plans to live up to the promise of producing one every six months. There's also a link to publications, and while the site is well organized and user-friendly (with links discussion groups, Other Related Organizations, and an engine to search the site), the limited number of pages so far is disappointing. However, it offers the promise of tremendous richness as CPRN matures.
