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 joins global Sustainable Development Solutions Network
We’re excited to announce that the McMaster Health Forum | Forum+ is now part of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global initiative that mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement. Enthusiastically approved by the SDSN Executive Committee, the Forum joins the global SDSN movement, which includes a network of universities and research centres with common goals. The Forum is part of SDSN Canada, hosted at the University of Waterloo, and will also work with the Australia, New Zealand, & Pacific regional network hosted by Monash University in Australia (where our partnership with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute is currently focused on adding environmental content to the Forum’s Social Systems Evidence repository).
In the coming months, we look forward to engaging further with SDSN Canada and members of the regional network to find further ways to collaborate on research, solutions initiatives, and policy work. Our efforts will focus on SDSN theme 5, ‘Health for All,’ and will include bringing synthesized research evidence from Health Systems Evidence and Social Systems Evidence to network activities involving policymakers and other leaders, and identifying gaps in synthesized research evidence and primary studies that researchers can address.
We plan to share what we learn from SDSN activities with our fellow Partners for Evidence-driven Rapid Learning in Social Systems (PERLSS) in our effort to support the achievement of the non-health SDGs using best evidence, citizen values and stakeholder insights in 13 other countries around the globe.
- McMaster Forum