By Ana Gajic and Kim Barnhardt


Dr. Cindy-Lee Dennis
View a PDF version of the ingraphic above.

Does engaging patients in research projects improve health? St. Michael’s Hospital is pleased to be a part of a comprehensive collection of 17 innovative demonstration projects — from youth involvement in mental health services to suicide prevention, Indigenous health, children with complex medical needs and more — highlights the value of patient engagement in research.

Engaging Patients in Health Research: the Ontario Experience, a special patient-oriented research supplement in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal), features in-the-trenches experiences, tips and challenges from 17 IMPACT projects funded by the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU). It is a resource for researchers and others interested in this growing approach that involves patients and caregivers as partners in health and health systems research.

The projects highlighted from St. Michael’s Hospital researchers include:

  • Dr. Nav Persaud, Marleane Davidson, and Diane Charter, researchers at the Centre for Urban Health Solutions of St. Michael’s, and their CLEAN Meds (Carefully Selected and Easily Accessible at No Charge Medications) study (pg. S45)

  • Dr. Samuel Vaillancourt and Dr. Dorcas Beaton, scientists at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s, and patient partner Alies Maybee, and their work engaging patients to develop a patient-reported outcome measure for the emergency department (pg. S50

  • Dr. Sharon Straus, Sobia Khan, Julia Moore, and Julie Bain from the Knowledge Translation team of St. Michael’s, and their contributions to a project to engage patients to select measures for a primary care audit and feedback initiative (pg. S42)

  • The Knowledge Translation team, and their contributions to a project that created patient engagement in a trial testing a new strategy of care for acute heart failure (pg. S34)

Read the full supplement online on CMAJ.


These papers are an example of how St. Michael’s Hospital is making Ontario Healthier, Wealthier, Smarter.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 29 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

St. Michael’s Hospital with Providence Healthcare and St. Joseph’s Health Centre now operate under one corporate entity as of August 1, 2017. United, the three organizations serve patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education.