Focus Group Member, The PREFeR (PRioritiEs For Research) Project

Do you want to be involved in discussing the priorities for primary care research in British Columbia? In partnership with the BC Primary Health Care Research Network, researchers from Simon Fraser University are holding a half-day event with patients and primary care providers to discuss province-wide survey results on the importance of patient-generated priorities for primary care research, and we would like you to come!

Open to: Patient partners from across the province

Lead Organization or Department

Simon Fraser University (SFU)/Faculty of Health Sciences

Aim

Primary care is our main point of contact with the health care system, where our health needs or concerns are initially assessed. Consequently, primary care forms the backbone of our health care system. The PREFeR (PRioritiEs For Research) Project aims to identify patient-generated priorities for primary care research in BC, and to compare patient and primary care provider perspectives. Previously, a group of patient partners came up with ten key issues in primary care, which were then included in a province-wide survey where BC patients and primary care providers were asked how important these topics were to them. Now we have the results from nearly 500 patients and 200 providers, we want to understand them better by asking patients and providers to share their views on the key findings. Prior to the half-day event in Vancouver, we will provide participants with a simple, two-page summary of the survey results. At the event, patients and primary care providers will discuss these results in small groups. We are interested in hearing what you think the views are of patients in your community, and how these views might have led to certain primary care topics being rated more highly than others.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of collaborate (at a local community or program level) on the spectrum of engagement.  The promise to you is that the health care partner will look to you for advice in decision making, developing alternatives, and solutions and include your recommendations into the decision as much as possible.

Eligibility

• Residents of BC
• No prior knowledge of research or primary health care is needed, and the summary data we will be sharing does not require data analysis experience.
• comfortable speaking with small groups of 5-8 patients and care providers.
• Interviews may be part of the selection process
• Please note: We regret that translators will not be provided at the event, so discussions will be held in English only.

We are hoping to hear from and consider a broad range of patient and public needs and experiences.  In addition to personal/family patient experiences, participants with links to other agencies, networks or communities to inform to help inform a broad perspective would be excellent candidates.

Logistics

Vacancies: 10 Time/Date: September 7, 2018 from 0830-1200 Location: Downtown Vancouver Commitment: One-time event

Reimbursement

Pre-approved expenses related to travel and accommodation, in addition to some meals we be reimbursed (within 30 days) by the project team.  Reimburseable expenses include: • Round-trip flight or ferry (if required) • Mileage and/or transit fares • Parking fees • One night hotel (if travelling from outside the Lower Mainland) • Breakfast will be included • Other meals may be covered (depending on travel requirements) • Timeline for reimbursement will be less than 30 days

Background

Primary care research often focuses on the needs of patients, but patients are not often included in prioritizing research ideas. Also, the research priorities of patients may be different from those of primary care providers. PREFeR aims to identify patient-generated priorities for primary care research in British Columbia, and to compare patient and provider perspectives. Patient partners, primary care providers (e.g., family doctors, nurses, pharmacists), researchers and policymakers will be at this event, but it will center on the patient-provider dialogue. Prior to the meeting, a short summary of the survey results will be sent to all participants, along with more details about how the dialogue event will work.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Kathryn Proudfoot
Engagement Leader, Patient & Public Engagement | Provincial
604.668.8246

kproudfoot@bcpsqc.ca