Get Involved

Strides in kidney disease prevention and treatment would not be possible without our partnership with patients who volunteer their time for research.

Patients are the key to helping us advance medical knowledge so we can improve life for all kidney disease patients. Many patients are motivated to take part in research that could help many others.

If you’re a patient in the Renal Program at St. Paul’s Hospital, you may be invited to participate in one or more of our research studies. Your participation is always completely voluntary.

All research at Providence/University of British Columbia, and within the Renal Program, is overseen by an ethics committee. All studies require that participants understand the purpose of the study, procedures, time commitment, risks, benefits and confidentiality. Patients are encouraged to ask any questions and have a discussion with their family and physician before deciding. After the patient signs an informed consent form (a legal document stating that the patient has understood their involvement in the study), they are enrolled in the study. 

Further information

Research Manager, UBC Division of Nephrology Research Unit
Katy Vela - kvela@providencehealth.bc.ca or 604-682-2344 ext 69460.

If you have any concerns about your treatment or rights as a research subject, you may contact the Research Subject Information Line in the UBC Office of Research Services at 604-822-8598.