Patient Partner Advisory Group

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Patients as partners in research

Collaborating with patients as partners is vital to CANSpine. Patients are engaged as active partners in every phase of CANSpine research, from identifying priority research questions to sharing research results. This ensures that CANSpine research is relevant, meaningful and reponsive to real-world needs.

 

Patient Partner Advisory Group

The Spinal Pain Patient Partner Advisory Group has been flourishing since the inaugural meeting in November 2021. It is made up of over 20 people who have diverse lived experiences with spinal pain (low back pain, neck pain, mid back pain). While active collaboration in research is a focus, participating in the group provides unique opportunities to engage in a wide range of activities, such as quality improvement initiatives, public communication and School educational activities. Click on the images below to learn more!

MicroscopeResearch projects

Patients engage in different research projects about spinal pain throughout all stages of the research process 

Quality improvement initiatives Award

Patients improve processes and systems in CanSpine research

 

MegaphonePublic communication

Patients ensure our public communication is effective and meets the needs of patients and the community

BrainSchool educational activities

Patients contribute to School of Physical Therapy entry-level and post-graduate education

 

  

Authentic and sustainable partnerships

We are committed to fosting inclusive, mutually beneficial partnerships where patient voices are valued and acted upon, supporting sustainable engagement. Through this collaboration, patient partners and researchers create a space for shared learning, where lived experiences shape research in meaningful ways.

Actions to facilitate an inclusive environment

 

Patient partners and a CANSpine researcher share their experiences of the Patient Partner Advisory Group: 

Patient partner: "The researchers were always willing to listen and adjust things one more time to suggestions they were hearing from real life experiences." 

Patient partner: "You are doing a great job of supporting me for access to activities. Thank you."

CANSpine researcher: "The patient partner group has provided me an opportunity to receive feedback on research ideas, for better understanding of research initiatives patients feel strongly towards and then mirroring these closely in my research path." 

  

Patient partner perspectives of what they enjoy about Patient Partner Advisory Group meetings

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Get Involved

We are always looking to expand the diversity of experiences and perspectives contributing to the Patient Partner Advisory Group.

Meetings are scheduled bi-monthly (6 meetings annually) on different days of the week and at different times of day, to accommodate a variety of schedules. Meetings are held in a hybrid format where people can join in-person or virtually on Zoom. Various times and the hybrid format are intended to facilitate inclusion.

At this point in time, we are unable to provide financial compensation for patient partners. We are continuously seeking funding to support the Patient Partner Advisory Group. For in person meetings, we will compensate for parking and / or costs of transportation, such as bus fares.

If you are interested in joining the Patient Partner Advisory Group, or would like more information, please email us: CANSpineAR@groups.uwo.ca