Research and other patient partner opportunities
Introduction
Patient partners are those with lived experience, caregivers and/or family who collaborate with researchers to provide their unique perspectives through the research process.
The inclusion of patient partners in research results in the following (see here):
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Improved patient safety
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Better health outcomes
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Reduced health care costs
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Better decision-making.
If you want to share your patient experience, below is a list of projects currently seeking patient partners. When choosing a project, consider the following:
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Do you fit the listed criteria?
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Do you have the requisite time and energy to commit fully to the project?
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Can you participate from home or will the project require your attendance elsewhere?
Opportunities
Research on Long COVID, Gait and Balance
The RELEARN (REhabilitation of the Lower Extremities AfteR Neurological Injury) Lab at the University of Toronto is recruiting participants with Long COVID for a study on walking and balance. This study defines Long COVID as someone with a history of confirmed COVID infection and reporting symptoms 3 months after the onset, and lasting a minimum of 2 months that can’t be explained by other diagnoses.
Target Participants: People with lived experience
Learn more here.
Research on Long COVID in Diverse Communities
Researchers are seeking adults living with Long COVID to participate in a study exploring its impact on health, daily life, and recovery within diverse communities. Participants will take part in an online focus group or individual interview (60–90 minutes) and receive a $50 gift card in appreciation. The study aims to identify barriers, supports, and community-driven solutions to improve well-being and health outcomes for people living with Long COVID. At this time, participants who identify as South Asian, Asian, or Black are being recruited.
If you are interested in participating or if you have any questions, please contact the coordinator via email covidstudy@ottawaheart.ca or at (613) 6967000 x 18949.
Judge, 17th Annual BC Quality Awards, Health Quality BC
The BC Quality Awards celebrate the individuals and teams who are improving care and inspiring positive change in health care across BC. We would like to invite three patient partners to join our judging panel and decide the winners and runners-up of the 17th annual awards.
Open to: Participants across the province
Deadline: June 12
Abstract Reviewer & Storyboard Judge, Quality Forum 2027
Each year, Health Quality BC (HQBC) receives hundreds of abstracts from teams across the province hoping to present their work at the Quality Forum. Abstracts can be submitted on any topic related to improving the health of patients, families and communities, fostering a high-quality health system or creating better environments for those who work within it.
Open to: Patient partners across the province
Deadline: June 19
Ministry of Health Public Surveys to Inform Quality Review Processes
In response to concerns raised by patients, community and health sector partners and the 2020 In Plain Sight report (IPS), the BC Ministry of Health is surveying members of the public to identify what information, supports and opportunities for involvement they need after experiencing harm in the health care system. The Ministry of Health will use the perspectives shared in the surveys to guide health care policy and processes that support quality improvement and help prevent further harm.
Open to: Participants across the province
Deadline: June 26
Share Your Voice: Canadian Patient Perspectives on Health Data Sharing
If you or your loved one has interacted with the Canadian health care system, we want to hear from you! We’re inviting individuals aged 18+ to participate in a Canada-wide survey exploring how health data should be shared for research. Your insights can help shape future policies and practices and ensure patient perspectives are at the center of decision-making.
Open to: Participants across Canada
Deadline: June 30
Barriers and Facilitators to Patient Engagement in Research and Research Related Activities – Survey
This survey is being conducted by members of the PEPR Partnership – standing for Partnership for the Engagement of People in Pain Research. We are inviting people with lived experience of chronic pain who have been involved in research or engaged in research adjacent organizations, nationally funded research networks, national grassroots pain organizations, etc., to participate in this survey.
Open to: Participants across Canada
Deadline: August 31
Patient and Family Advisory Councils
Fraser Health is actively recruiting for regional, program, project and local Patient and Family Advisory Councils. These councils meet with leaders on a regular basis to talk about ways to improve care and make it more person-centred.
Open to: Participants from Fraser region
Deadline: June 19
Patient Materials Committee
Health Literacy is a person’s ability to access, understand, evaluate and communicate information as a way to promote, maintain and improve health in a variety of settings across the life-course. Patient Materials Committee is a team that reviews patient forms and pamphlets to make sure the content and design is easy to understand and relevant.
Open to: Participants from Fraser region
Deadline: June 19
The goal of the medical racism project is to hear from patients and community members who are black, racialized AND disabled about their experiences navigating the healthcare sector. We will also be building a toolkit informed by those participating in the focus groups so that we can advocate for a more equitable healthcare sector.
You have the option to participate in either a virtual/ online focus group or an in-person focus group. To compensate you for your time, each participant will receive a $50 e-gift card.
Register here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to khadija@djnbc.ca or sarah@djnbc.ca.
Providence Health Care (PHC) Patient Health Education Materials (PHEM) Committee
We are looking for 1-2 new patient partners to join the Patient Health Education Materials (PHEM) Committee at PHC. PHEM are informational or educational resources provided to patients, clients, residents and families at PHC. The PHEM Committee reviews materials submitted by PHC staff to ensure they are relevant, clear and easy to understand.
Open to: Participants across the province
Deadline: June 22
Physician Quality Improvement (PQI), Kelowna, Support the PQI Education/Training Portion of the Program
We are seeking a patient partner to support the Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) program. The Patient partner will help ensure that the patient and family perspective is reflected throughout the program and will contribute to creating a meaningful learning experience for participants.
Open to: Participants from Interior region
Deadline: July 2
Joint (IH-SSC) Quality Improvement Steering Committee Member, Virtual / Kelowna
The Joint Interior health and Specialist Services Committee (IH-SSC) Quality Improvement Steering Committee (SC) supports the development and delivery of a Quality Improvement (QI) program, led by physicians, that collaborates with operational leaders, Health Authority staff, patients and families to find innovative solutions that will result in excellence in patient care in Interior Health.
Open to: Patient partners from Interior region
Deadline: July 6
Virtual Care Services Patient Experience & Support Improvement Program Rapid Response Group
We are seeking patient partners to help improve the quality, clarity and usability of our Virtual Care Services. Patient partners will contribute lived experience to ensure that digital health tools, patient-facing materials and support services are accessible, understandable and responsive to real patient needs.
Open to: Island Health patient partners (do not need to be PVN members)
Deadline: June 17