POGO Research Unit (PRU)
The POGO Research Unit (PRU) was initiated in 1996 with a mandate to focus on research that contributes to a better understanding of childhood cancer and its impacts, and improved outcomes for children with cancer and their families.PRU research activity:
- Enhances our understanding of the causes of childhood cancer;
- Informs policy development;
- Aligns resources with needs; and
- Diminishes the impact of childhood cancer on children, families, and society.
The PRU focuses on research that complements that of its partner hospitals and other research institutions and granting agencies. In conducting its research activity, the PRU partners with institutions throughout the province and beyond, thereby stimulating and promoting multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional health research. To learn more about the PRU’s four pillars of research, please click HERE.
The PRU is directed and guided by a provincial research advisory group operating as the PRU Steering Committee. The PRU Steering Committee is comprised of academic, scientific, and administrative leaders in areas of relevance to childhood cancer-related research who provide operational visionary advice and guidance on the development and ongoing operation of the PRU and its associated research activities and initiatives.
The PRU has access to an extensive database, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario Networked Information System (POGONIS 2.0), that is managed by POGO. This relational database and registry captures selected, standardized data on all childhood cancer cases in Ontario. POGONIS is a unique resource for the study of the epidemiology of childhood cancer in the province, for surveillance and evaluation, and for facilitating the assembly of cohorts for investigation in multiple research projects. Each of the five POGO tertiary centres across Ontario provides POGO with data relevant to the children in their care. Please click HERE for more details on POGONIS.
In 2005, POGO was designated as a 45(1) entity under the Protection of Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA, 2004). Under this legislation, POGO is able to collect, use and disclose personal health information for the purposes of “analysis or compiling statistical information with respect to the management of, evaluation or monitoring of, the allocation of resources to or planning for all or part of the health system, including the delivery of services” (PHIPA, 2004). This designation allows POGO to link with other datasets, thereby greatly augmenting its research capabilities.
