Health xChange on the road

Michael Smith Health Research BC, Interior Health, and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation hosted the first Health xChange in Kelowna on May 24. Developed by Health Research BC, Health xChange is an annual evening of storytelling that brings together researchers, research user partners, and those interested in health research to share and learn about research evidence in a fun and engaging way.

Previously held annually in Vancouver, the Knowledge Translation team at Health Research BC were thrilled to work with local partners to take the event on the road.

Offered as a hybrid event both online and in-person in downtown Kelowna, attendees discussed how community engaged research can influence health system change. Using a PechaKucha format (20 slides, shown for 20 seconds each), presenters shared stories about community-based research approaches designed to influence the health system and, in turn, increase the health of British Columbians.

Keynote speaker and community member, Karin Eger-Blenk, spoke to a lived experience and the power of engaging with community led-research.

The event was a success with 150 participants sharing they had an engaging and connective experience.

“We were excited to work with Interior Health and the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation to take Health xChange to Kelowna,”, said Gayle Scarrow, Director of Knowledge Translation at Health Research BC. “Bringing together researchers, community members and health system decision-makers to network and share ideas is at the heart of these events, as was the case in Kelowna that led to stimulating discussions on how community engaged research influences health system change.”

The Knowledge Translation team are passionate to bring the event to more locations across BC in the future – watch this space!

VIDEO: View the Health xChange Kelowna event

Learn more about Health xChange, including the Vancouver event on June 16