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 programs well positioned to support new five-year strategic plan set by World Health Assembly
World Health Assembly delegates recently agreed to a strategic plan for the next five years, which is designed to help the world achieve the Sustainable Development Goals - with a particular focus on SDG3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting wellbeing for all at all ages by 2030. The plan aims to achieve a 'triple billion' target by 2023 of: 1 billion more people benefit from universal health coverage; 1 billion more people are better protected from health emergencies; and 1 billion more people enjoy better health and wellbeing.
As the WHO Collaborating Centre for Evidence-Informed Policy, we're excited to support WHO member states' efforts to reach this 'triple billion' target by making available and supporting the use of the best available synthesized research evidence.
Health Systems Evidence (HSE) contains pre-appraised evidence syntheses to inform and support policy-making efforts to achieve SDG goal 3:
www.healthsystemsevidence.org
Social Systems Evidence contains pre-appraised evidence syntheses on most of the other #SDGs, with the exceptions of the health part of goal 3 (covered by HSE), most of goal 7 (energy), and all of goals 13-15
www.socialsystemsevidence.org
- McMaster Forum
- McMaster Health Forum
