Albertans4HealthResearch.ca

Welcome to Albertans4HealthResearch.ca!

Patients have valuable lived experiences, and can inform and contribute to research priorities and results that are more relevant, and meaningful for all.

Supported by the AbSPORU Patient Engagement Platform and others, this online Albertans4Health Research (AB4HR) network is a place for those with lived experience of a health condition, either themselves or as a caregiver, family member or friend, to connect with research teams and play an active role, as equal partners, on health research studies that matter to them.  CIHR's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research recognizes that patient partners contribute valuable lived experiences and unique perspectives and inform and advise on health research studies, making the results more relevant and meaningful to those impacted by the studies, and often able to be implemented sooner, in language and presentation more accessible to all and with greater scope.

You will see Research Opportunities here on this main page. Please connect with the researchers directly about projects you are interested in.

You can also "Volunteer"  and receive regular emails about different research opportunities, and the AB4HR activities and events; sometimes we might ask for your opinions and insights regarding our work. This online network uses the term "Volunteer" because of the universal volunteer management software. Yes, you would be volunteering your time if you applied to and are accepted to an opportunity but  reimbursement is available for out-of-pocket expenses and compensation may also be offered for your valued lived experience and expertise.

 I have questions. Who do I ask?

We are happy to answer your questions! We offer services and supports to researchers and patients across Alberta. To request help using this online network, email the PE Platform email peplatformab@gmail.com.  Please leave provide a phone number if you would like us to call you back. We are happy to do so!

Doing research in Alberta? Apply online for research services and support through the Alberta SPOR Support Services portal! 

Our Resources List

Whether you are a patient partner, a health researcher or just interested in world of patient engagement, here are some helpful resources to make it easy for you get started.

Who is a Patient?
We are all considered 'patients' in health research. Check out our 60-second animated video to learn why.
English or French

PEP Talks
The AbSPORU Patient Engagement Platform runs a series of patient engagement podcasts where we talk with experts about everything patient engagement.
Patient Engagement PEP Talks

AB4HR Webinars
Coming soon!

Patient Engagement: How-to
We have guides to getting started in patient engagement.
Researcher How-to Patient Engagement Guide
Patient Partner How-to Patient Engagement Guide

Patient Engagement Platform Publications
Click on the year to link to the article.
2020 Patient reports of night noise in hospitals are associated with unplanned readmissions among older adults
2020 The role of patient advisory councils in health research: Lessons from two provincial councils in Canada.
2018 Patient and public engagement in priority setting: A systematic rapid review of the literature.
2018 People with lived experience (PWLE) of depression: describing and reflecting on an explicit patient engagement process within depression priority setting in Alberta.
2018 Patient engagement in Canada: a scoping review of the 'how' and 'what' of patient engagement in health research.
2018 The top research questions asked by people with lived depression experience in Alberta: a survey.

Patient Engagement Platform Journal Club Articles
Click on the year to link to the article.
April 2020 "Community initiative co-led with patients could improve care for people with complex health and social needs"
February 2020 "Patient Engagement in research: Early findings from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute"
January 2020 "Frameworks for supporting patient and public involvement in research: Systematic review and co-design pilot"
October 2019 "Patient and public involvement in research: Enabling meaningful contributions"

The road is made by walking it.

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi