The Importance of Patient-Oriented Research

This webinar is in partnership with Diabetes Action Canada.

Meaningful patient involvement is now seen as critical to the success of health-related research projects. Learn what it is, why it’s important and how people with diabetes are shaping the research landscape in Canada.

Launched in 2016, Diabetes Action Canada consists of a diverse team of patient partners, researchers, diabetes specialists, primary care practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, data specialists, and health policy experts committed to improving the lives of people living with diabetes. The Network focuses on bringing patients, their caregivers and researchers together to identify the health concerns of those living with diabetes and to co-create research projects that address these concerns. By partnering and collaborating with university research teams across Canada, non-profit organizations and provincial governments to plan, execute and evaluate these research projects the organization works to improve patient outcomes and experiences.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what patient-oriented research is and why it is important
• Learn about the experience of patient partners
• Hear about the ways that patient partnership is critical to a new program aimed at supporting older adults with multiple chronic illnesses, including diabetes, successfully self-manage

Speaker Bios

Tracy McQuire, Executive Director, Diabetes Action Canada

Tracy has been with Diabetes Action Canada for over 5 years, first as the Manager, Research Operations and now as Executive Director. Tracy brings more than 15 years of research project and program management experience as well as research operations and strategic planning expertise. Prior to joining Diabetes Action Canada, Tracy was the Business Manager for the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute at University Health Network (UHN), leading the strategic planning process and implementation strategy to align research priorities to clinical programs. She has also led many projects within UHN Research in her various roles, including as Project Coordinator for research safety and facilities planning. Tracy holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree in Genetics from Queen’s University and obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) designation in 2012.

Mike Alexander, Artist and Triathlete/Patient Partner

Mike Alexander, an Anishinaabe artist and athlete who has struggled with depression and addiction. He is a Sixties Scoop survivor and recently became a member of Diabetes Action Canada’s Indigenous Patient Circle.

Ron Beleno, Patient Partner

Ron is an active advocate for dementia, caregiving, aging, and research communities. As a caregiver to his father who lived with Alzheimer’s for 10+ years to age in place at home until January 2018, Ron utilized technology, community, creative strategies and access to research to support his family’s life to live well and as best as possible. In recent years, Ron has been invited to do presentations locally and internationally for Alzheimer’s Societies, communities, police, educators, innovators and corporations. He shares his knowledge on caregiving as we age, ways to use technology for caring, and living safely with dementia, especially for those at risk of wandering and going missing. He is an active member, advisor, and mentor to numerous organizations and educational institutions such as AGE-WELL NCE, Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) at Baycrest, City of Toronto’s Seniors Strategy, SE Health (formerly known as Saint Elizabeth Health Care) and the Translational Research Program (TRP) at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine. Further in his past, Ron has a background in Computer Sciences, Space and Communication Sciences, Marine Aquaculture, Life Coaching and Culinary Arts. He was the Founder and Executive Director of a Youth Career and Employment Centre that served over 30,000 young people, immigrants and career changers in the Toronto area during its’ operation.

Rebecca Ganann, RN, PhD, Health Services Researcher

Rebecca first joined the School of Nursing at McMaster in 2006 as a part-time faculty member and became a full-time Assistant Professor in 2017. She teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. She is Co-Scientific Director of the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit, the Acting Lead of the McMaster Collaborative for Health and Aging (OSSU Research Centre of Aging), and the Lead of the Primary Health Care – Patient Expertise in Research Collaboration (part of the Innovations Strengthening Primary Health Care through Research network). Rebecca is also a researcher with the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging. Rebecca’s research program is focused on integrated health and social service delivery innovations to promote physical and mental health, and mobility among community-dwelling older adults. Her previous research has explored mental health and health services accessibility for immigrant women.

Krista Lamb, Communications Lead, Diabetes Action Canada

Krista Lamb is the Communications Lead for Diabetes Action Canada. She is a writer, communications professional and podcast host. Krista specializes in helping translate complex medical, scientific and health-related topics into interesting and understandable stories for diverse mediums. In addition, Krista is the producer and host of multiple podcasts, including the Actions on Diabetes Podcast with Diabetes Action Canada. Her first book, Beyond Banting: From insulin to islet transplants, decoding Canada’s diabetes research superstars, is available now from Rock’s Mills Press.