Member, Division of Family Practice Working group for Public Prenatal Classes

The Division of Family Practice has been working with Island Health and has identified a project to develop free public prenatal classes using a combined online/app with an in-person group session. We are in need of a patient voice to join the committee to assist with content and design. We are specifically looking for a woman who has recently (within last two years) had a baby.

Open to: Patient partners in the Nanaimo area

Lead Organization or Department

Island Health Perinatal Department and Division of Family Practice, Nanaimo

Aim

Our aim is to develop and roll out free prenatal classes to the public. The purpose of engaging a patient partner is to have a patient voice at the table when developing content and design to ensure content is relevant and the designs and access are user-friendly. The patient partner will provide input and their perspective from concept to completion.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

Eligibility

• Direct experience as a patient or family member in the areas of prenatal, birth and postpartum
• Comfortable sharing patient experiences in a group setting for the purposes of learning and quality improvement
• A skilled listener who is respectful of a broad range of views
• Previous experience as part of committee or quality improvement project is an asset, but not required
• Please note:
  • This opportunity is not open to patient partners who are currently employed by Island Health.
  • Applicants must have previously attended a PVN orientation session and completed the Volunteer Agreement. If you have not attended an orientation session but you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Ryan Sidorchuk directly to see if accommodations may be possible.

Logistics

• Vacancies: 1
• The committee meets approximately once every two months. Once the project becomes more action-focused, meetings may shift to be monthly. Next meeting tbd.
• Location: In-person at the Division of Family Practice Building in Nanaimo (2137-A Bowen Rd.)
• Commitment: Approximately 6 months

Reimbursement

Local travel (mileage/parking) expenses as applicable according to Island Health rates will be reimbursed. As our meeting is over the dinner hour, dinner will also be served during the meeting.

Background

The Division of Family Practice in partnership with Island Health conducted a patient and provider survey and with the data analysis it was decided to fund a project to create free prenatal classes for Nanaimo families. The committee tasked to develop the project consists of members from the Division of Family Practice, a midwife, a family doctor, an obstetrician, the Manager Acute Care Child Youth and Families (CYF), Clinical Co-Ordinator CYF, and a public health nurse.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Ryan Sidorchuk
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Central & North Vancouver Island
250.951.4850
rsidorchuk@bcpsqc.ca