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.
Africa Centre for Evidence welcomes Forum Director as a Distinguished Visiting Professor
The McMaster Health Forum is proud to announce that John Lavis, our Director, has recently been appointed as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Africa Centre for Evidence (ACE) in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Joining him in this five-year role will be Sandy Oliver from the EPPI-Centre at University College London.
“I’m really looking forward to this closer collaboration with the Africa Centre for Evidence team and Sandy Oliver,” said Lavis. “This promises to be a great opportunity for us to collectively up our game.”
"As distinguished visiting professors, both Prof Oliver and Prof Lavis will contribute to the academic life at ACE and the wider UJ community through their research activities, publications, seminars and engagement with staff and post-graduate students," said UJ's Ruth Stewart, Director of the Africa Centre for Evidence.
“This appointment at UJ offers the opportunity to both share our lessons learned in supporting evidence-informed health policymaking, and to learn from colleagues working at the leading edge of similar efforts beyond the health sector. With the creation of Forum+ and Social Systems Evidence, we’re very keen to build a strong partnership among three organizations (ACE, EPPI-Centre and McMaster Health Forum | Forum+) committed to working across sectors.”
Stewart added, "With our vision to reduce poverty and inequality in our region by increasing the production and application of research evidence that is both useful and used, ACE is excited to collaborate with these two globally highly regarded scholars."
Read the full announcement from the Africa Centre for Evidence.
- McMaster Forum
