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.
Partners in health – McMaster and University of Antioquia
The McMaster Health Forum is pleased to announce a formal collaboration between McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and the University of Antioquia’s School of Medicine. The Forum will play an important role in facilitating this partnership, the objective of which is to promote academic collaboration in research, education and service.
“This is a great opportunity for us to continue building our international networks and promoting evidence-informed health systems,” said John Lavis, Director of the McMaster Health Forum.
Collaboration may take many forms:
- developing research proposals and projects and exchanging relevant scientific information;
- exploring the development of university-based educational programs and community-based training programs; and
- facilitating the exchange of faculty members, research staff, and students and exploring the establishment of joint PhD supervision and international research internships.
“We are excited to formalize our collaboration with McMaster University,” said Daniel Patiño Lugo, Director of the Medical Research Institute, University of Antioquia. “McMaster university has been key in the development of our school of medicine in two areas: problem-based learning and evidence-based medicine”
This collaboration builds on the existing relationship between John Lavis and Daniel Patiño Lugo, who obtained his Ph.D. in Health Policy at McMaster under John’s supervision and previously worked for the Forum. This collaboration was made possible thanks to Lavis and Patino, as well as the efforts of McMaster’s Ni Jadon.
- McMaster Forum
