[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/mcmaster_stpeters.jpg” caption=”Left to right: John Kelton, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences, Donna Cripps, St. Peter’s president and CEO, and Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni. Photo credit: Michael Lalich”]A new affiliation agreement signed yesterday by McMaster University and St. Peter's Health System will result in more research on issues affecting adults with chronic illness and training of health care professionals in the care of these individuals.

Each year, many McMaster students come to St. Peter's for practical hands-on training in complex care. The renewed affiliation agreement further enhances this academic association, as well as emphasizes the commitment of both St. Peter's and McMaster University to research in this area.

“Our patients and residents will benefit tremendously,” says St. Peter's President and CEO, Donna Cripps. “Care at the bedside can be affected positively when care providers can link their day-to-day work with teaching and research.”

“All trends show there is, and will be, an increasing number of elderly or chronically ill in our society,” says Dr. John Kelton, dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. “It is important there be additional research focus on these issues, and that we train health care professionals to provide complex care.”

The partnership between McMaster and St. Peter's has already contributed to many successes including the creation of a St. Peter's McMaster Chair in Aging, held by world-renowned geriatrician Dr. Willie Molloy; and the development of St. Peter's as an Interprofessional Education site in Palliative Care.

“The quality of care is certainly enhanced as a result of the synergies created between caregivers, researchers, educators, and future health care professionals,” says Cripps. “By providing opportunities for these individuals to connect, we are ensuring that patients have access to up-to-date methods of treatment and the most appropriate care to enhance their quality of living.”

The renewed affiliation will allow both organizations to contribute to improving the lives of adults with, for example, terminal illness, dementia, neurological conditions, heart or kidney disease, and individuals recovering from a stroke or hip fracture.