Participant, BC Primary Health Care Research Network Pre-Conference Workshop

The BC Primary Health Care Research Network invites patients to participate in an in-person workshop in Vancouver on March 9. Join a small group of patients, health care providers and researchers and explore issues of importance to patients and families that may lead to important research projects.

Open to: Patient partners across the province

Lead Organization or Department

BC Primary Health Care Research Network

Aim

The purpose of the BC Primary Health Care Research Network (BC-PHCRN) is to encourage, facilitate, and support collaborations between government, health authorities, health professionals, patients and researchers. Patient partners are invited to participate in a pre-conference workshop organized by the BC-PHCRN as part of the Centre for Health Services and Policy Research Conference. The aim of this workshop is to begin to explore issues of importance to patients and health care providers that may lead to important research. The workshop is also an opportunity to develop relationships with patients that may result in further engagement with BC-PHCRN. In addition to attending the pre-conference workshop, patient partners may also attend the conference in the afternoon and the early evening of March 9.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of consult on the spectrum of engagement (www.iap2.org). The promise to you is that the research partner will listen to and acknowledge your ideas and concerns, and provide feedback on how your input affected the decision.

Eligibility

• Experience accessing primary care as a patient, family member, or informal caregiver (note: primary care refers to non-emergency healthcare, such as healthcare services provided by a family doctor or nurse practitioner)
• Experience as a member of a research team would be an asset but is not required
• Priority will be given to ensuring that patient partners are inclusive of the diverse communities and individuals who access primary health care services
• Willing to attend the workshop in person in Vancouver
• 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 Leah Smith directly to see if accommodations may be possible
• The placement process for this opportunity may include an informal interview between the volunteer and the health care partner

Logistics

• Vacancies: Up to 5
• Date and Time: March 9, 2017, from 9:00am to noon
• Location: Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront, Vancouver
• Commitment: One time event, with the potential of additional future opportunities for interested patient partners

Reimbursement

Pre-approved travel expenses and event registration, including pre-workshop and conference activities on March 9.

Background

The BC-PHCRN is one of 11 research networks across Canada that are part of the Canadian Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovations Network (PIHCIN) launched by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) program, to support evidence-informed transformation of the delivery of primary and integrated health care. The BC-PHCRN is led by a research scientist, clinician specialist, clinician family physician, and two policy representatives from the Ministry of Health. There is an advisory committee of nurses, nurse practitioners, population health representatives, patients, various family physicians and specialty doctors, health authority representatives, First Nations Health Authority, researchers from Providence Health Care, and evaluators from various organizations. At just over a year old, the BC-PHCRN is keen to have more patient involvement and is exploring development of a patient advisory group, which may include some of the patients who attend the workshop. There may also be future opportunities to identify and prioritize patient roles within BC-PHCRN; advise on strategic decisions; advise research teams across the country; and screen research projects and proposals to determine alignment with patient priorities.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Leah Smith
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Southern Vancouver Island
778.678.3977
lsmith@bcpsqc.ca