Putting patients first: Second annual BC SUPPORT Unit conference

On October 4, 2018, patients, researchers and health care providers gathered for the second annual BC SUPPORT Unit conference, Putting Patients First: Lessons Learned for Patient-Oriented Research.

The conference, designed to encourage learning and enhance knowledge and skills in conducting patient-oriented research (POR) and working within a POR team, is part of an ongoing effort to ensure meaningful patient engagement in every part of the research process.

MSFHR is delighted to see numerous MSFHR-funded researchers sharing their expertise at the conference, including keynote presenter and 5x MSFHR awardee Bernadette Pauly who will be presenting alongside Fred Cameron and Paige Phillip on the question “When is patient-oriented research culturally safe?”, with a Q&A session led by 3x MSFHR awardee Kim McGrail.

MSFHR is a major financial contributor to the BC SUPPORT Unit, as well as a key collaborative partner on activities such as knowledge translation and capacity building. After CIHR, MSFHR is the Unit’s largest financial contributor, investing $10 million over five years.

Attending the Putting Patients First conference? You’ve got some great breakout sessions to choose from, including the below from MSFHR-funded researchers.

Morning breakout sessions

• Amanda Chisholm (2015 Research Trainee) and Elodie Portales-Casamar (2017 C2) in breakout session #1a discussing new virtual platforms to support POR.
• Jennifer Baumbusch (2011 Scholar and Research Project) in breakout session #1c discussing a research project co-created with families to foster support, networking, education and sustained engagement in long-term care.
• Richard Sawatzky (3x MSFHR awardee) in breakout session #1d running an interactive workshop on patient-reported experience and outcome measures.

Afternoon breakout sessions

• Stirling Bryan (2018 C2), Linda Li (2018 Implementation Science Team and 2011 Scholar) and Erin Michalak (2006 Team Planning and 2004 Scholar) sharing learnings from the development of the BC SUPPORT Unit Methods Clusters in breakout session #2a.
• Mary De Vera (2014 Scholar and 2008 Research Trainee) and Clayon Hamilton (2016 Research Trainee) presenting in breakout #2b on supporting medication adherence in patients with inflammatory arthritis and development, and how to assess the quality of patient engagement in research, respectively.
• Angela Kaida (2009 & 2006 Research Trainee) presenting alongside Valerie Nicholson, Peggy Frank, Mary Kestler on patient-oriented sexual health research by, with, and for women living with HIV.