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’s Latest Queen Elizabeth Scholars in Strengthening Health and Social Systems
The McMaster Health Forum is pleased to announce three new recipients of our Queen Elizabeth Scholarship in Strengthening Health and Social Systems: Cristián Mansilla, Natalie Tchakerian and Xiaoxi (Grace) Zhou.
The Forum is pleased to welcome Cristián Mansilla to McMaster University as the first incoming scholar from Chile. Cristián is a first-year PhD student in the Health Policy program. As a student and scholar he aims to take his competencies related to evidence-informed policy making to the next level, allowing him to make deeper and stronger contributions to this field.
Natalie is an undergraduate student in the BHSc program at McMaster University. She is spending the fall term as an intern in South Africa working with the Africa Centre for Evidence at the University of Johannesburg. During her internship, she hopes to gain insight on how evidence is synthesized and modified in response to the changing needs of policy makers and help further enhance communication’ between South Africa and colleagues in Africa working in French-speaking countries.
Grace is also an undergraduate student in the BHSc program at McMaster University. She will be an intern with the New South Wales Ministry of Health in Sydney, Australia. At the ministry, she will be contributing to the translation of research evidence into health policy and supporting the research and evaluation of the ministry’s current programs and future strategic priorities.
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 @McMasterForum on Twitter and visit the #QEScholar tagboard page.
Read more about the QES Scholarship in Strengthening Health and Social Systems offered by the Forum.
- McMaster Forum
