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.
Queen Elizabeth Scholarships - Forum now accepting applications for 2022
The McMaster Health Forum is now accepting applications for the 2022 Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (QES) program. Through the QES program, McMaster University will participate in activating a dynamic community of young global leaders across the world to create lasting impacts on health and social systems both at home and abroad through cross-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences.
Scholarship opportunities are available to:
Outgoing interns (up to $6,000) Queen Elizabeth Scholars will have the opportunity to contribute to strengthening health and social systems in any of more than 140 Commonwealth and low- and middle-income countries where the Forum, and its partners, have robust relationships focused on health- and social-system strengthening. Scholars will become part of our large and growing network of health- and social-system leaders.
Successful applicants will be eligible to receive up to $6,000 to help cover living expenses (approximately $4,000 for food, accommodation, health insurance and an installation allowance) and travel expenses (approximately $2,000 for return airfare and visa costs) that are directly related to the scholarship. The minimum period to be spent in the host country is 90 days.
Eligible McMaster programs from which applicants can be drawn include the Health Policy PhD program, Health Research Methodology MSc or PhD program, Master of Public Health program, Global Health MSc program, eHealth MSc program, and BHSc program (outgoing interns only).
Incoming scholars (up to $13,000)
Scholarships are also available to incoming scholars based in any Commonwealth country other than Canada. Successful applicants will be awarded scholarship funding of up to $13,000 for 12 months of funding if they wish to complement their training in a master’s degree or a PhD at McMaster University with training related to health- or social-systems strengthening; or 12 to 30 months of funding if their studies towards a master’s degree or a PhD at McMaster University are expressly focused on health- or social-systems strengthening. These funds are to help cover academic expenses (tuition, supplies, research and conference expenses) and living expenses (food, accommodation, health insurance and an installation allowance) that are directly related to the scholarship.
In addition to financial support, Queen Elizabeth Scholars will benefit from remarkable training, mentoring and networking opportunities.
Apply now >> Applicants for an outgoing internship may apply at any time. The application deadline for 2022 internships is Monday 15 November at 4:00pm. Since developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic are constantly evolving, we expect the earliest internships will occur is during the spring/summer term of 2022. Internships will only occur if there are no travel restrictions between Canada and the host countries of our international partners. Click here for more information on when and how to apply for a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship.
The McMaster Health Forum is proud to have been selected as one of 20 Canadian institutions to be a host site for the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship programs. Through this program, McMaster University will participate in activating a dynamic community of young global leaders across the Commonwealth to create lasting impacts on health systems both at home and abroad through cross-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences.
- McMaster Forum
