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.
Lavis to discuss engaging citizens in health decision-making
McMaster Health Forum Director John Lavis is one of the featured presenters in the annual seminars series organized by the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging.
He will describe how the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, and the Forum’s stakeholder dialogues and citizen panels programs engage citizens and civil society representatives in informing decisions about health systems. The seminar will take place on Thursday, October 23, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., in room 505 of the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University.
While innovative approaches to support the use of the best available research evidence in health system decision-making have traditionally been perceived as having an unbalanced emphasis on elite policymakers and stakeholders, the three initiatives Lavis will discuss are among the novel knowledge-mobilization strategies that engage citizens in the healthcare decision-making process.
The seminar is one of six on the overarching subject of aging and technology. The Gilbrea Centre, based in the Faculty of Social Sciences, is a hub of research, teaching and outreach that aims to improve all aspects of the lives of older adults in the community and in long-term care by linking research, education, policy and practice with local, national and global initiatives.
All are welcome to attend the seminar.
- McMaster Forum
