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.
New monthly evidence service launched for Social Systems Evidence
Starting this month, registered users of Social Systems Evidence will be able to subscribe to monthly updates via email of new evidence that addresses topics of interest to them.
To subscribe to this new evidence service, users will need to register for a free account. Once registered, you’ll be able to save your search strategy and subscribe to receive a monthly email containing links to any documents that have been newly added to Social Systems Evidence and meet your search parameters. Your subscriptions can be managed on the ‘Saved searches’ page (under your profile drop-down menu), where you can also subscribe to past searches you have saved, as well as to any of the suggested ‘curated searches’ prepared by the Social Systems Evidence team.
Additional benefits for registered users include the ability to access more than 20 search results and to save documents of interest to a personal clipboard for future reference.
Social Systems Evidence is the world’s most comprehensive, free access point for evidence about strengthening 20 government sectors and program areas, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
- McMaster Forum
