Want to better understand how the health and social systems work and how you can better advocate for changes that would improve these systems for you and your family? Enhance your knowledge with one of our free courses for citizens:
Finding and using research evidence: A guide for citizens
In this free online course, you’ll be provided with solutions to overcome the most commonly cited frustrations people have when trying to access research evidence. Prepared by the McMaster Health Forum with support from the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit, the course is now available online as a set of eight videos:
Here are helpful resources that are drawn on in the course:
- Definitions for word and phrases used in the modules
- How to make sure health information is trustworthy
- Links to online sources mentioned in the modules
Don’t miss the most important resource for citizen-targeted evidence about healthy aging:
Understanding how to navigate the health system
Knowing how your health system works will better you to navigate the system, identify opportunities to make things better, and advocate for changes that you’d like to see. This free online course describes the 'building blocks' of Ontario’s health system as well as how those building blocks are used to provide care in the province in different ways (e.g., by sector, condition, treatment, population). While Ontario is the example, these principles are useful to understanding health systems other jurisdictions in Canada and internationally.
Prepared by the McMaster Health Forum with support from the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit, the course is now available online as a set of six videos:
Here are helpful resources that are drawn on in the course:
- Free download of chapters from Ontario’s Health System: Key Insights for Engaged Citizens, Professional and Policymakers. The Ontario book is also helpful in understanding other health systems
Don’t miss the most important resource for citizen-targeted evidence about healthy aging:
Masterclass on patient-oriented research
The Forum’s masterclass was designed to prepare future champions for the conduct and use of patient-oriented research and future mentors to others becoming involved in the conduct and use of patient-oriented research. While we are not currently planning any sessions for the masterclass on patient-oriented research, you can access all of the course material to learn more about patient-oriented research.
Healthcare for refugees, immigrants focus of student event
The challenges faced by refugees and immigrants in obtaining adequate healthcare in Ontario will be the focus of a public talk for students at the McMaster Health Forum on November 4.
Dr. Andrea Hunter, a pediatrician who works with the Refuge: Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health, will share her experiences of working with this population, and discuss some of the specific challenges that have emerged due to recent cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program, which covers some medical services for recent immigrants. Entitled Refugee Health: Cuts, Costs and Conflicts in Care, the talk will take place in the Forum’s DialogueSpace on the fourth floor of Mills Memorial Library, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Hunter will be joined in the presentation by Gabrielle Inglis, a senior medical student at McMaster University who is the co-founder of the Health Advocacy for Refugees Program, a student group focused on advocating for the rights of refugees to access quality and affordable health care.
The talk has been organized by Forum’s student subcommittee to provide McMaster students from various disciplines the opportunity to gain insights into the issues surrounding immigrant refugee healthcare in Ontario. All students who are interested in healthcare for immigrants and refugees are invited to attend.
Hunter is an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at McMaster University and a consultant pediatrician at McMaster Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Healthcare. She is also involved in medical education and curriculum design. Her clinical and research interests include pediatric refugee and immigrant health, social determinants of health, and global child health. She has been involved in coordinating community-based pediatric refugee/immigrant health clinics in Hamilton since 2004, and began a social pediatrics rotation within the McMaster pediatric residency program in 2013. Internationally, she has been involved in ongoing pediatric education programs in Uganda and as co-program director of a pediatric residency program in Guyana.
Inglis has a longstanding interest in global health equity, and has been involved in developing a global health and social medicine curriculum within the MD undergraduate program at McMaster. Her clinical and research interests include refugee health, HIV primary care, health advocacy and social medicine.
Anyone who is interested in attending is asked to reserve a spot by sending an email to mhf@mcmaster.ca, with “Refugee Health” in the subject line.
- McMaster Forum
