Patient Advisor, BC Primary Health Care Research Network Patient Advisory

The BC Primary Health Care Research Network Patient Advisory is a group of 10 diverse patient partners from across the province who work together with researchers, decision makers and clinicians. Our goal is to improve the delivery of primary health care to British Columbians though collaboration and implementation of evidence-based innovations.

Open to: Patient partners across the province

Lead Organization or Department

British Columbia Primary Health Care Research Network

Aim

The BC Primary Health Care Research Network (BC-PHCRN) Patient Advisory is a key stakeholder group in our network made of 10 diverse patient partners who assist with the operations, development and leadership of the BC-PHCRN. Patients provide key perspectives that inform our direction and decisions. For example, the Patient Advisory was instrumental in the PRioritiEs For Research (PREFeR) project, which isolated patient-identified priorities for future primary care research in BC and compared the importance rankings of these priorities between patients and primary care providers. Currently, the Patient Advisory group will be assisting the network with passing on the results of BC-PHCRN funded research projects as well as providing input and perspective on new projects. This may include editing project results summaries, sending results to your networks/communities, participating in conferences, etc. There may also be some engagement with outside research projects as opportunities arise.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of consult on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will listen to and acknowledge your ideas and concerns, and provide feedback on how your input affected the decision.

Eligibility

• Interest in sharing expertise and experiences with primary health care in BC (as caregiver or patient)
• English as second language welcome (our communications will be in English)
• New Canadians welcome
• Urban/rural/remote location
• Comfortable with meeting via computer or phone call

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2-3
• Location, date, time and frequency: The time commitment fluctuates throughout the year as projects/conferences begin and wrap up. On average, the commitment will be 1-2 hours/month. We meet virtually by computer or phone call

Reimbursement

All out of pocket expenses will be covered, such as mileage, parking, bus fares, conference registrations, etc. Honorariums are considered based on a case by case basis. Once the patient partner shows interest, we would like to have a conversation on individual preference and honorariums.

Background

The BC-PHCRN Patient Advisory was formed in July 2017 to provide guidance and direction from a patient perspective to the Network as a whole. Advisory members will interact with researchers, policy-makers, and clinicians on a regular basis. Many opportunities involve knowledge transfer and exchange surrounding BC-PHCRN supported research projects and potentially some ad hoc research projects as opportunities arise. Advisory members may also attend conferences and provide input into grant submissions or research summaries. Other ad hoc opportunities may arise over the year. Please see our website for further details: https://spor-bcphcrn.ca/about/patient-advisory/

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Carol Stathers
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Okanagan, Interior Region
778.516.3308
cstathers@bcpsqc.ca