On this episode of Airwaves & Airways we're chatting about patient engagement! Patient engagement involves building a collaborative relationship between patients, caregivers, researchers, and decision makers. There are many benefits to having patients and their caregivers involved throughout the research process. This practice is becoming increasing integrated into research as it allows patients to contribute firsthand experiences, identify gaps in healthcare, and confirm that research and studies are relevant and valuable to help improve care.

One organization making great strides with patient engagement is Legacy for Airway Health, who has developed a Community Partner Committee, comprised of around 14 individuals from diverse backgrounds affected by COPD or asthma. So, to chat about patient-oriented research, we are joined by Dr. Stephanie Harvard (researcher) and Tony Lanier (patient partner) to learn more about this innovative research process. If you’d like to learn more about patient engagement and patient-oriented research, you can visit Legacy for Airway Health’s website at legacyairwayhealth.ca.

Additional resources:

• Patient and Citizen Engagement in Research: https://sporevidencealliance.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/6.-SPOREA-COVIDEND_Patient-and-Citizen-Engagement-Tips.pdf
• Difference between patient partner and patient participant: What is POR? | Patient-Oriented Research Repository (ubc.ca)
• Tips for being a patient partner (Page 1): Patient Engagement - Teams (healthresearchbc.ca)
• Tips for research teams (Page 2): Patient Engagement - Teams (healthresearchbc.ca)
• Interested in learning about what frequently used health research terms mean? Try using: CIHR Jargon Buster: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48952.html