The network
Organization
Network Coordinator
Dr. Rafel Ramos
Specialist in Family and Community Medicine. PhD from IMIM, focusing on the cardiovascular risk prediction line of the REGICOR study. Collaborated with researchers from the Framingham Heart Study (Boston) on adapting the Framingham cardiovascular risk function to the Spanish population (REGICOR function) and its validation (VERIFICA study) as part of my doctoral thesis.
In 2009, we published, for the first time in Spain, the population prevalence of peripheral artery disease, and subsequently published the design of a risk equation (REASON). Our work in this field has been cited in the 2013 evidence synthesis report on peripheral artery disease screening by the US Task Force, in the 2012 American Heart Association scientific statement on the measurement of the ankle-brachial index, and in a Cochrane review.
In 2018, we published an article on cardiovascular prevention in the elderly population in the BMJ, which was selected as one of the top 20 Primary Care articles in the world in 2018 by the Canadian Medical Association initiative, published by the American Association of Family Physicians. Coordinator of the Primary Care Research Unit of the Catalan Institute of Health in Girona. PI of the Vascular Health Research Group (accredited as a consolidated group by AGAUR and of the CARDIOCAT group.
Currently Coordinator of the RICAPPS network of the ISCIII’s RICORS program, involving 26 Primary Care and Public Health groups from 12 autonomous communities. Guest Research Fellow (2013) at the University of Oxford Coordinator of the cardiovascular area at IDIAP Jordi Gol. ICS Primary Care Research Career Award (2014). CAMFiC Award for University Work in Family Medicine (2021). SEMFYC Award for University Labor in Family Medicine (2023). Professor of Family Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Girona. Scientific Director of the Health Campus of the UdG. Currently, Secretary of the Faculty of Medicine.
Research lines:
- Epidemiology of vascular disease, especially asymptomatic forms of vascular disease, and its early detection in the prediction and prevention of vascular diseases.
- Mathematical modeling of risk prediction, with the creation of tools that allow us to translate epidemiological knowledge into clinical practice.
- Evaluation of preventive interventions, which includes the study of the effectiveness of drugs used in primary prevention.
I have participated in 31 research projects funded in competitive public calls, 17 as PI, in addition to several contracts with companies. I have supervised 16 doctoral theses (currently 8 more ongoing). I have published 197 original articles (92 in the first quartile and 45 in the first decile), with a cumulative impact factor of over 1200 points, nearly 18,000 citations received, an average of over 85 citations per article, and an h-index of 43; in addition to several book chapters. I have been an ANEP evaluator since 2008.
Functions
He is the head of the Network. His functions are:
Direct and manage the Network in an operational and harmonious manner
Represent the Network
Follow the agreements of the Steering Committee
Promote external relations beneficial to the Network
COORDINATION TEAM
Francesc Ribas
Coordination team
Ricapps
Gina Domínguez
Coordination team
Ricapps
Lluis Zacarías
Coordination team
Ricapps
Anna Moleras
Coordination team
RicappsCOMMITTEES
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is the highest level of the network’s organisational structure. It is composed of the principal investigators of the 26 research groups included in the RICAPPS proposal, plus the general coordinator. It will ensure the correct execution of the research programme, the correct implementation of the network’s projects, and will promote high-quality research, with high scientific, social and public health relevance.
The committee will meet at least twice a year, and is responsible for all strategic decisions:
To ensure the correct execution of the research programme
To manage and amend the network agreement, including the reallocation of the budget, planning of the work programme and changes in the composition of the network
To approve the annual strategic research plans, including the strategy for disseminating results, and the identification of RICAPPS’ future directions
To promote collaboration with other national and international research networks, such as CIBER and RETICS.
To monitor the promotion of gender equality in projects.
To approve the annual technical report on projects and comment on the main results of projects before their official publication.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (EC) is the executive arm of the Steering Committee and supports the general coordinator. It is composed of the network’s general coordinator and a representative group of the WP coordinators. The Executive Committee must ensure smooth communication and coordination between the various working teams, for optimal integration and support between the groups. It will meet two or three times a year to oversee the overall progress of RICAPPS in accordance with the scientific programme.
SUPPORT COMMITTEES
Training Committee
Training Committee
Coordinator: Maria Sala
The Training Committee will be made up of a principal investigator from the group, as the committee lead, and representation from other groups. Its main objectives will be to promote the acquisition of multidisciplinary knowledge by RICAPPS researchers and to establish the programme for training researchers in health systems research in order to ensure generational continuity within the network. This group will report on the training and mobility plans to the Steering Committee and establish mechanisms to ensure the coordination of training activities.
Research Committee
Dissemination Committee
93 482 46 94
671 511 120
info@ricapps.es
