Interested in how you got into this

[Annette McKinnon]

Hi All

I am interested in what led to people becoming involved in being a patient advisor, or research partner, or 'active patient'

If anyone feels interested in talking I'd love to know.

Annette

[Annette McKinnon]

Thanks John

I got involved through having inflammatory arthritis, and trying to share what I knew. The issues that mattered to me were system wide.

With that outlook, and with experience on a project about user centered design, the idea of good healthcare solutions being created by teams that included the patient as a team member finally seemed obvious.

Annette

[John Shaw]

Experiencing myself, and observing in other patients, the professional, competent and compassionate treatment at our cancer centre I wanted to give back. I initiated a volunteer program and that led to the management getting me involved as a patient advisor.

John

[Diana Ermel]

It is a long 27 year journey, but started with my commitment to people having the information they need , when they need it, to make informed decisions, Was invited to do Idea grants as a patient reviewer, over the phone, by CCS. Involvement in peer review panels grew from there Along with informed decision making, my philosophy also included having an informed patient voice at decision making tables...figured all that out about 25 years ago and have been chipping away at it ever since.

[Candace Skrapek]

My previous background as a health care provider, administrator and nursing educator combined with my own health challenges and experiences as a patient have led me to become involved as a patient partner in health research initiatives. My experiences along the path of diagnosis, treatment and recovery have brought me into contact with both good and bad health care and health care providers. Being a patient who is also well versed with the health care system has its own uniqueness and perspective. I am able to share my experiences and the impact and meaning that research can have not just on my health but also on the well being of future patients. My engagement stems from the view that the patient’s influence on research priority setting, design, implementation and evaluation can lead to more responsive, equitable, and innovative health research. As an engaged patient partner I am able to bring different and important perspectives to health research that can contribute to improved research quality and relevance.