Rural Physician Research Grant Program

The Rural Physician Research Grant Program (RPRGP) empowers rural physicians—or new aspiring researchers—to pursue innovative rural research projects that advance rural health in British Columbia.

“This grant allowed both researchers to put in dedicated time to finishing this research project, which would likely not have been possible without the grant. Both researchers found the grant increased their interest, and capacity, in research; it meant a lot to feel supported by RCCbc as we navigated this process.”

Dr. Caitlin Blewett, RPRGP recipient

Achievements

Supporting Rural-Led Research Across British Columbia

In 2025, five new projects were supported through the Rural Physician Research Grant Program (RPRGP), advancing locally relevant research led by rural doctors and residents across the province. This year’s grants addressed a wide range of priorities, from emergency department sustainability to Indigenous health and patient experiences.

Funded projects explored:

Modifiable Factors Supporting Sustainability in Mid-Sized Rural Emergency Departments in BC
Identifying Gaps in Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Management Among Indigenous Patients in Rural Northern BC
Pain Perception and Satisfaction During IUD Placement in Rural BC: Exploring the Role of Lidocaine-Prilocaine and Patient Education
The Role of Virtual Health in Supporting Children Hospitalized with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness: CHARLiE and the READAPT-Kids Cohort
The Impact of the Regulatory Complaint Process on Rural Physicians and the Care They Deliver

These projects reflect the program’s ongoing commitment to empowering rural physicians and residents to lead research that strengthens the sustainability, accessibility, and quality of rural health care across British Columbia.

Publication Highlight: Point-of-Care Ultrasound on Haida Gwaii

A 2023 Rural Physician Research Grant project was featured in the British Columbia Medical Journal (BCMJ) in July 2025. The study shared how physicians on Haida Gwaii are incorporating point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to enhance patient care and strengthen local diagnostic capacity. Authored by Tandi Wilkinson, Jason Curran, Virginia Robinson, Nicole Moon, Ievgeniia Rozhenko, and Tracey DeLeeuw.

The project described how this innovative approach evolved through collaboration among island physicians, detailing the tools, training, and teamwork that enabled POCUS to become part of regular clinical practice. The research provides a model for other rural communities looking to adopt similar technology to improve patient outcomes closer to home.

Read the full article in the BCMJ →

Publication Highlight: Imaging Appropriateness in Rural Hospitals

A 2022 RPRGP-funded project was published in late winter 2024 in the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine. The study assessed whether patients presenting to a rural hospital without an on-site CT scanner were appropriately imaged for possible intracranial injury, ensuring adherence to Canadian CT head rule guidelines. Authored by Matthew Lavery, Rylen Williamson, Jason Curran, July Wilkey, and Kirk McCarroll.

The findings contribute valuable insight into how rural hospitals manage complex diagnostic decision-making without immediate access to advanced imaging. This research highlights the adaptability of rural clinicians and reinforces the importance of evidence-based protocols tailored to rural practice environments.

Read the full article in the CJRM →

Explore the numbers

5 Grants

In 2025, five grants were awarded. Three were fully funded and two were seeded.

8 Reports

In total, 8 reports were received for grants awarded from 2022-25. Two are final and six are progress reports.

$40,000 Funding

In 2025, RPRGP funded over $40,000 of new research projects.

Project Partnership

The Rural Physician Research Grant Program (RPRGP) continues to collaborate with the Rural Global Health Partnership Initiative (RGHPI), led by Dr. Videsh Kapoor and her team. Together, these programs explore the intersection between rural and global health, an area where BC researchers are making significant contributions to international academic knowledge.

The RPRGP also aligns its communications with the BC Rural Health Research Exchange (BCRHRx) and the BC Rural Health Conference, sharing updates and research through poster presentations and other knowledge exchange opportunities. In addition, the program works alongside members of the RCCbc Research Team to provide project support and strengthen collaborative research efforts across the network.

Read About Ongoing Research

Research looks at impact of primary care in a shelter setting

Plans for the Future

A new round of Rural Physician Research Grants will be awarded in 2026. Efforts will focus on strengthening alignment with other RCCbc research initiatives, including the BCRHRx, RHC posters, and shared educational and supportive resources to enhance collaboration and impact.

Building on the success of previous years, the team will also create new opportunities for past, current, and future recipients to connect, share learnings, and access research training and mentorship resources to support their ongoing work in rural health.