Time to go Beyond Token Patient Engagement

Time to go Beyond Token Patient Engagement

Being a patient volunteer can be rewarding, but it can also be extremely frustrating. Especially when you feel you are filling a token seat versus being an equal partner. It’s time to go beyond token patient engagement and look at patient volunteers as valued and equal partners in transforming healthcare.

Read More

What's Your Motivation for Being a Patient Advocate?

What's Your Motivation for Being a Patient Advocate?

What motivates patients to volunteer? It’s not prestige or money but the desire to either right a wrong or improve the healthcare system by seeing the world from a patient’s perspective. If we truly want to have a variety of patient voices heard, we need to do the work to ensure any barriers to participation are removed and we value their voices.

Read More

Should Patient Volunteers Get Paid?

Should Patient Volunteers Get Paid?

There is much debate online about whether or not patient should receive financial compensation for volunteering. Particularly when it comes to speaking at conferences or sitting on a healthcare committee, where everyone else in the room is being paid to attend. It’s about valuing and respecting patient voices, and the time they give (preparing, travelling, meeting).

Read More

Don't Be Afraid to Get Personal

Don't Be Afraid to Get Personal

Having recently presented to a provincial government finance committee supporting a funding request, I was reminded of the importance of sharing our personal stories. It brings a human face to often complex issues. And reminds people of the true value of programs and services - to help people!

Read More

Engaging Patients Will Help Improve the Quality of Healthcare

Engaging Patients Will Help Improve the Quality of Healthcare

A recent article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal recognized the importance of engaging patient voices in healthcare. While this is great news for those of us working in patient advocacy, there is still a long road ahead to truly create patient and family centred care where all voices are heard.

Read More