Bringing together researchers, research users, patient and community partners to share and learn

Health xChange is a storytelling event that brings together researchers, research users, patient and community partners to share and learn about health research projects throughout BC in a fun and engaging way.

On November 3, Michael Smith Health Research BC partnered with Island Health, and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to host the first Health xChange on Vancouver Island.

Offered as a hybrid event, both online and in-person in downtown Victoria, nearly 100 people attended to hear about innovative solutions transforming health care. A range of patient-oriented and community-engaged research projects were discussed, from deep freezing nerve cells to manage spasticity, to the pearls and pitfalls of psychedelic-assisted therapy research.

Using a PechaKucha format (20 slides presented for 20 seconds each), presenters shared stories about community-based research approaches designed to influence the health system and, in turn, improve health and health care in British Columbia and beyond.

“It was excellent to work with Island Health and the Victoria Hospitals Foundation to bring Health xChange to Vancouver Island,” says Kevin Sauvé, manager of knowledge translation at Health Research BC. “The event was a major success because it was a great opportunity for researchers, patient partners, community members, and health system professionals to come together, share ideas, and discuss the challenges and opportunities they face. Importantly, participants were able to connect and discover opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing with others at the cutting edge of BC health research.”

Previously held annually in Vancouver, after the success of Health xChange in Kelowna in May and now in Victoria, Health Research BC looks forward to bringing the event to other communities across BC in the future.

Watch recorded presentations and learn more about Health xChange Victoria.