Member, Rural Surgical and Obstetrical Network (RSON) Evaluation Committee

Are you interested in improving access to health care for rural residents of BC? Do you want to help ensure patient perspectives and values are incorporated into an evaluation of new rural surgical networks in rural BC?

Open to: Patient partners from rural communities in BC

Lead Organization or Department

UBC, Department of Family Practice

Aim

The RSON evaluation will assess the function and impact of new, innovative networks that aim to help sustain surgical and obstetrical services in rural BC. Each network will consist of five integrated components. For instance, a remote presence technology component (e.g., videoconferencing carts) will be used by surgical teams separated by distance for training and collaboration. We want to ensure the evaluation meets the needs and interests of all key stakeholders, including patients. Engaging patient partners during the design of the evaluation helps to ensure that the evaluation reflects patient values related to surgical care. The patient partner will serve on an Evaluation Expert Panel for approximately one year. The patient partner will attend a 90 minute meeting every four months, complete preparatory work before meetings, and participate in meeting discussions. Preparatory work for each meeting, such as reviewing and commenting on a draft evaluation approach, will not exceed one hour. The RSON Evaluation Team may also contact the patient partner outside of meetings for her/his expert advice.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.

Eligibility

Experience as a patient, family member or close friend in surgical and/or obstetrical care while a resident in a rural community of BC. Experience in the community of Lilloet, Revelstoke; Golden; Creston; Fernie or Vanderhoof would be an asset. Additional Assets: An interest in improving access to rural health care Experience serving on a working group, committee, or board Experience participating in meetings Familiarity with the health care system in BC

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2
• First meeting date: Tentatively planned for mid-July
• Frequency and Format: Meetings will occur over teleconference. Meeting frequency is quarterly (i.e., once every three months). Each meeting will not exceed 90 minutes in duration. Exact meetings dates and times have not yet been determined.
• Commitment: 1 year term with option to extend

Reimbursement

The patient partner will be reimbursed for telephone and internet costs associated with participating in the Evaluation Expert Panel. Other costs (e.g., child care) related to meeting preparation and attendance may also be reimbursed. The patient partner will be reimbursed for meeting related costs approximately four weeks after each meeting.

Background

The RSON initiative is in response to the closure of surgical services in rural communities of BC. Closure of rural surgical programs is linked to the loss of cesarean delivery capacity and subsequent closure of maternity programs. Research shows that rural women who have to travel outside of their communities to access maternity services are at increased risk of adverse maternal and newborn outcomes. Evaluating the function and impact of RSONs is important for accountability and program planning. The main RSON evaluation team, i.e., the Core Evaluation Team, is led by two physicians and one academic researcher. Other Core Evaluation Team are based at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. The Core Evaluation Team will be working with various stakeholders to design the evaluation - these include include patients/community members, clinicians, local health authority representatives, and representatives from national physician associations. Input from these individuals will be collected via the Evaluation Expert Panel, an Evaluation Working Group, and a Patient Reference Group. Feedback will also be collected from different First Nations communities via focus groups in indigenous communities. Please review the Terms of Reference for the Evaluation Expert Panel (attached). The RSON Evaluation is specific to the acute care setting. There are no identified risks to the evaluation.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Jacquelyne Foidart
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Thompson Cariboo Kootenays
250.879.1077
jfoidart@bcpsqc.ca