Bombardier C
Dr. Claire Bombardier
Senior Scientist
MD, University of Montreal
Institute Senior Scientist Dr. Claire Bombardier began her productive research career conducting clinical trials. “These trials answer one question very well. However, later in my research career, I became quite involved in knowledge transfer,” says Dr. Bombardier.
As Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Transfer for Musculoskeletal Care, Dr. Bombardier has developed a strong interest in moving the evidence from publishing results in a journal to turning the evidence into actionable items for policy-makers. “I’ve been in research for many years, and I can now maximize my long-term experiences and contacts and continue to develop relationships with the decision-makers who can use the research results.”
Dr. Bombardier was one of the three original senior scientists who led in the development of the scientific program here at the Institute. She spearheaded the clinical research area that included the Institute's sponsorship of the Cochrane Back Review Group (BRG) to the Institute. “Since its establishment in 1995, the BRG has produced many significant results related to the treatment and management of low-back pain.” For instance, BRG reviewers were instrumental in confirming that bed rest is not an effective treatment for low-back pain. The BRG, housed at the Institute, coordinates the publication of literature reviews of primary and secondary prevention and treatment of neck and back pain.
In addition to Dr. Bombardier’s involvement as a coordinating editor of the Back Review Group, she is part of a large-scale project that aims to improve scientists’ ability to measure the impact of limitations on work productivity. “We need to understand how and to what extent work disability – and particularly ‘presenteeism’ – impacts workers, the workplace and others.” Dr. Bombardier and colleagues are working with several international agencies including the United States Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada on this project.
Bio Sketch
Dr. Bombardier is Professor of Medicine and Pfizer Research Chair in Rheumatology, University of Toronto; Director, Division of Rheumatology, University of Toronto; Canada Research Chair in Knowledge Transfer for Musculoskeletal Care; Senior Scientist, Institute for Work & Health; Director, Clinical Decision-Making and Health Care Division, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network; and Rheumatologist, Mount Sinai Hospital.
She completed her MD at the University of Montreal and is a Royal College specialist in internal medicine and rheumatology.
Professional interests include the improvement of clinical effectiveness, optimum use of technology and drugs, clinical economics, performance measurement/program evaluation, health research methods (clinical trials), knowledge transfer and workplace/rehabilitation, with a focus on musculoskeletal disorders. She has published more than 270 articles in scholarly journals and is the recipient of numerous competitive awards and grants.
Professor Bombardier has been particularly noted for her work in the following areas: Randomized clinical trials and economic analysis of Cox-2 specific anti-inflammatory medication for musculoskeletal disorders; systematic reviews of the scientific literature on spinal disorders for the Cochrane Collaboration Back Review Group and the WHO Task Force on Neck Disorders; and using innovative technologies to bridge the gap between research evidence and clinical practice.