Open science precision medicine in Canada: Points to consider

Abstract

Open science can significantly influence the development and translational process of precision medicine in Canada. Precision medicine presents a unique opportunity to improve disease prevention and healthcare, as well as to reduce health-related expenditures. However, the development of precision medicine also brings about economic challenges, such as costly development, high failure rates, and reduced market size in comparison with the traditional blockbuster drug development model. Open science, characterized by principles of open data sharing, fast dissemination of knowledge, cumulative research, and cooperation, presents a unique opportunity to address these economic challenges while also promoting the public good. The Centre of Genomics and Policy at McGill University organized a stakeholders’ workshop in Montreal in March 2018. The workshop entitled “Could Open be the Yellow Brick Road to Precision Medicine?” provided a forum for stakeholders to share experiences and identify common objectives, challenges, and needs to be addressed to promote open science initiatives in precision medicine. The rich presentations and exchanges that took place during the meeting resulted in this consensus paper containing key considerations for open science precision medicine in Canada. Stakeholders would benefit from addressing these considerations as to promote a more coherent and dynamic open science ecosystem for precision medicine.

Precision Education and Equity: A Participatory Framework to Advance Equitable Assessment

“…Implementation of other precision-based initiatives has been enhanced through Open Science, which is a model characterized by open data sharing, real-time dissemination of knowledge, and an iterative approach to research and cooperation. 17 Modeling itself after Open Science, transparency in PE can be implemented through a central repository of publicly available PE initiatives, tools, resources, and potential data sets. Similar to the Free and Open Access Medical Education movement, [17][18][19] immediate access to the innovations that PE can offer can allow all partners to benefit from such systems while research and innovation flourish.…”

“…Open and transparent access to both data and PE technology has the potential to enhance PE by enhancing rigor and innovation. Implementation of other precision-based initiatives has been enhanced through Open Science, which is a model characterized by open data sharing, real-time dissemination of knowledge, and an iterative approach to research and cooperation 17 . Modeling itself after Open Science, transparency in PE can be implemented through a central repository of publicly available PE initiatives, tools, resources, and potential data sets.…”

“…Similar to the Free and Open Access Medical Education movement, 17–19 immediate access to the innovations that PE can offer can allow all partners to benefit from such systems while research and innovation flourish. Further, an expanded network of PE researchers may also enhance opportunities for funding and diverse partnerships that ultimately produce more contextually relevant and effective translation of evidence-based educational knowledge 17 . Lastly, transparency for learners regarding the data that are available about them, how such data inform the development of assessment systems, and safeguards around the use of such data must be optimized for PE to be implemented in an equitable manner 12 .…”

“…17 Modeling itself after Open Science, transparency in PE can be implemented through a central repository of publicly available PE initiatives, tools, resources, and potential data sets. Similar to the Free and Open Access Medical Education movement, [17][18][19] immediate access to the innovations that PE can offer can allow all partners to benefit from such systems while research and innovation flourish. Further, an expanded network of PE researchers may also enhance opportunities for funding and diverse partnerships that ultimately produce more contextually relevant and effective translation of evidence-based educational knowledge.…”

“…Further, an expanded network of PE researchers may also enhance opportunities for funding and diverse partnerships that ultimately produce more contextually relevant and effective translation of evidence-based educational knowledge. 17 Lastly, transparency for learners regarding the data that are available about them, how such data inform the development of assessment systems, and safeguards around the use of such data must be optimized for PE to be implemented in an equitable manner. 12 Involving learners in cocreating PE implementation may provide an opportunity to build a more transparent and accessible approach.…”