Research, training 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?
Training
Helping individuals connect with meaningful research opportunities and encouraging research teams to collaborate with patient partners, CanTrain (Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the landscape of clinical research in Canada. CanTrain offers self-paced, free courses for patients and community partners, designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively in clinical trials.
By emphasizing and fostering the importance of collaboration between researchers and patient partners, this CanTrain program aims to create a more inclusive research environment where all voices are heard, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and more relevant research findings.
Opportunities
“What Matters to You?” Community of Practice
We are looking for up to 3 patient partners to join us in this work.
For almost a decade, Fraser Health staff have been asking, listening and doing what matters to improve the experience of care.
A diverse community of practice has been established to support collaboration, learning and the advancement of WMTY initiatives.
Meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month from 10:30am to 11:20am. Any changes to the day and times will be to optimize participation.
Learn more about “What Matters to You?” here:
Deadline: October 12, 2026
Interior Health – Home Health Working Group
The IH Home Health team is looking to create a pool of volunteer partners to assist in various projects, reviews, document creation, and other initiatives as they come up over the next 1-2 years.
First- or second-hand experience with Home Health at IH, either with their own care or the care of a loved one, family member, or friend, that they are deeply involved with is preferred.
Project leaders will reach out to this group of interested volunteers as opportunities come up. Engagements are expected to be virtual, with occasional opportunity for hybrid work, if necessary.
Partners should have the time to engage in engagements and a passion for improving healthcare.
RSVP here.
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Vernon Jubilee Hospital Patient & Family Advisory Council (Vernon, BC)
Come and help Vernon Jubilee be the best it can be!
We are exicited to invite volunteers to join the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Leadership Team to be involved in our Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC). The Council will provide guidance to Vernon Jubilee Leadership on a variety of projects, initiatives and activities. The PFAC will meet once per month either in person or virtually.
Welcoming voices from Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Coldstream and Lumby.
We invite all members of the community to give us a call, for a quick chat to see how you can be involved.
We look forward to meeting with you.
RSVP here.
Deadline: November 30, 2026
Coast Mountain PCN Low Barrier Clinic Advisory Development
Pacific Northwest Primary Care Networks (PNW PCN’s) are BC Ministry of Health transformational team-based primary care strategies, that are locally planned and delivered through partnerships with Regional Health Authorities, Divisions of Family Practice, First Nations Health Authority, Indigenous Nations and Communities and other local community and service representatives.
The goal of the PNW PCN Advisory structures is to advance place-based, patient centered Primary Care Service models that are responsive and reflective of the complex care needs of rural and Indigenous populations with the largest and most rugged geographical area of BC.
RSVP here.
Deadline: March 31, 2028