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.
Forum’s latest Queen Elizabeth Scholars in Strengthening Health and Social Systems
The McMaster Health Forum is pleased to announce five new recipients of our Queen Elizabeth Scholarship in Strengthening Health and Social Systems: Adrienne Teske, Amy Ramzy, Ariana Jaspal, Erin Lin and Margret Lo. All five scholars will be travelling internationally to work with and learn from partner organizations.
Adrienne will be travelling to Colombia to intern with the Unit for Evidence and Deliberation for Decision Making (UNED) at the Universidad de Antioquia. During her internship Adrienne will learn how UNED works to inform health policies through evidence synthesis and deliberative dialogues.
Amy will be working with our partners at the Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development (CCHSRD) in Trinidad and Tobago. Amy will learn about the health systems challenges within the unique context of the Caribbean and assist in work aimed at implementing more equitable healthcare for all.
Ariana will be an intern in Sydney, Australia working with the Evidence and Evaluation unit in the New South Wales Ministry of Health. During her internship Ariana will learn first-hand how government use evidence in order to inform their decisions and how health research is used to influence and guide policymaking.
Erin and Margret will both be travelling to Australia to intern with the Sax Institute. Erin will be working with the Decision Analytics Program, where she will be developing systems maps related to climate change and health. Margret will be interning with the Evaluate program, where she will be contributing to the redesign of a ‘sun safe’ program for schools and the evaluation of a domestic and family violence pilot.
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), Community Foundations of Canada and Canadian universities. This program is made possible with financial support from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, and the private sector.
To stay connected with our QEScholars, follow @McMasterForum on Twitter and visit the #QEScholars tagboard page tagboard page.
Read more about the QES Scholarship in Strengthening Health and Social Systems offered by the Forum.
- McMaster Forum
