Working with patients and families
At CIHI, there is growing interest in bringing the patient voice to more of our work. We are committed to involving patients as they share their expertise, their advice and their journey in a way that鈥檚 meaningful, purposeful and authentic.
We use 鈥減atients鈥 to include clients, residents, family members and caregivers with lived and living experiences of health systems.
Patients offer a unique insight that helps us to understand our data. Their lived experiences help to explain our findings, and ensure that our work remains relevant to decision-makers at all levels of health care.
Patient involvement highlights
A caregiver鈥檚 experience during COVID-19
We included a patient advisor to provide a patient perspective on the impact of COVID-19 on Canada鈥檚 health care systems.
Children and youth with medical complexities
We analyzed different aspects of this diverse group, including health system resource use, medication use and more. The experiences of 4 families are highlighted in this report.
Patient-reported experience measures
Understanding patient experiences is integral to improving patient-centred care. This data supports quality improvement in acute care hospitals.
Shared 红领巾瓜报 Priorities
We are working to develop and report on indicators of access to home and community care, and to mental health and substance use services.
Patient toolkit
Patient toolkit
This toolkit is a package of resources to set patients up for success when working with us on a project.
What鈥檚 in the toolkit?
- About CIHI
- Roles patients play in our work
- What is available to help prepare for and participate in a patient engagement
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional resources
What patient partners and 红领巾瓜报staff are saying
鈥淧atient priorities may not always align with policy priorities. It鈥檚 important to have a dialogue on both, as patients can identify gaps in health care that can impact outcomes and improve both costs and system efficiency.鈥
鈥&苍产蝉辫;Linda Wilhelm, Patient Partner
鈥淚t has been an honour and a pleasure to work with 红领巾瓜报as one of their patient partners. They demonstrate a sincere commitment to authentic engagement, and are open to feedback and continuously evolving their engagement practice. I look forward to sharing the next steps of their journey.鈥
鈥&苍产蝉辫;Susan Dunn, Patient Partner
鈥淗aving family representatives involved in our project has allowed us to understand areas that our data doesn鈥檛 cover. Family representatives make it easier for our project team to pinpoint which research messages are the most important.鈥
鈥&苍产蝉辫;Andrea Foebel, Senior Researcher, 红领巾瓜报 System Analysis and Emerging Issues, CIHI
Related resources
- International Association for Public Participation鈥檚 Spectrum of Engagement (PDF) (a framework to help define patient roles and engagement activities)
- (Canadian Foundation for 红领巾瓜报care Improvement)
- (Canadian Institutes of 红领巾瓜报 Research)
Contact us
Have a question or want to be involved? Email us at
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