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 welcomes Queen Elizabeth Scholar from Kenya, sends two more interns abroad
The McMaster Health Forum is pleased to announce its latest recipients of Queen Elizabeth Scholarships in Strengthening Health Systems: Benard Miregwa, Peter Malik and Kristy Yiu.
Incoming Scholar: Benard Miregwa
This scholarship supports Miregwa’s thesis, which explores the interactions among pharmaceutical policy analyses, health technology assessments and analyses of access to health services. During his work with the Forum, he hopes to better understand health system strengthening and health policy analyses from the perspective of improving public health outcomes. Miregwa comes from Kenya and is currently a PhD student in the Health Policy program at McMaster University.
Outgoing Intern: Peter Malik
As part of this scholarship, he is completing an internship in Malawi with Knowledge Translation Platform Malawi (KTPMalawi) a partnership created by the Malawian Ministry of Health and Dignitas International. His internship will allow Malik to merge his interests in clinical research and knowledge translation strategies by preparing evidence briefs for Malawian policy. His work with the Forum will allow him to better understand how to translate research into contextualized evidence-based health policy. Malik is currently an undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster University.
Outgoing Intern: Kristy Yiu
This scholarship supports a trip to Cape Town, South Africa where Yiu is completing an internship with the Centre of Evidence-based Health Care at Stellenbosch University. Her work abroad examines the integration of care for hypertension and diabetes as part of an increasing focus on non-communicable diseases within the South African health care system. During her work with the Forum she hopes to better understand how such work informs policy makers. Yiu is currently an undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at McMaster University.
Through the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship 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.
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 (CFC) 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 @MacHealthForum on Twitter and visit the #QEScholar tagboard page.
Read more about the QES Scholarship in Strengthening Health Systems offered by the Forum.
Read more about the QES program at Universities Canada.
- McMaster Forum
