New learning tool helps patients shape health research

12 July 2022

Health researchers in BC now have access to a suite of online educational modules that help engage diverse people in health research.

The BC SUPPORT Unit, part of Michael Smith Health Research BC, developed a learning tool that shares best practices for engaging diverse communities. This includes rural and remote, LGBTQ2S+, d/Deaf, and immigrant, refugee, racialized and ethnocultural communities.

“Patient experiences are often overlooked in health research, particularly when people are from marginalized communities,” said Dr. Erin Michalak, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia. “We developed this learning tool to help researchers better connect with diverse groups and empower patients in their own care.”

People deserve to be engaged in health research that affects them. That’s why the BC SUPPORT Unit is changing health research to become more patient-oriented. Patient-oriented research involves patients, caregivers and families in the research process. It answers research questions that matter to patients and aims to improve health care.

View the modules and contribute content

Funding for the modules was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the BC SUPPORT Unit. The modules were developed using the Tapestry Tool in partnership with the University of British Columbia.