The presence of cardiovascular disease in Canada is high. High cholesterol is one of the causes of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol affects 1 in 3 Canadian adults. It can be managed and corrected with effective, safe, and inexpensive treatments, such as statins. Studies show us that over 70% of patients who can benefit from statins, are not currently on them. We interviewed patients and physicians to learn about why people do not use statins. Both patients and physicians told us there was a need for easy to understand educational materials about the use of statins. Patients and physicians also told us they wanted a tool to make discussion about cholesterol easier. This way they would be able to make an informed decision together. Our project focuses on co-creating a shared decision making tool to help patients and family physicians have conversations about cholesterol and how to manage it. The goals of the tool are to increase patient knowledge about high cholesterol and how to manage it; to make it easier for physicians to follow most current guidelines; and to provide physicians with a tool to guide conversations about cholesterol management with their patients. The tool will be focused to patients and family physicians in Alberta. Similar tools for diabetes and chronic kidney disease have been created and used with success in Alberta. No such tools are available for cholesterol management in Alberta.

As a patient partner you will be a core part of our team for the ongoing co-development of the tool. This includes:

• Helping to validate personas and patient journeys through virtual calls;
• Collaborating in co-design sessions to help brainstorm best solutions and ideas;
• Provide ongoing feedback and insights to the design.

Your collaboration on this project will include attending up to 5 hours of meetings to provide your perspectives, insights and ideas. We will be happy to accommodate your preferences regarding scheduling and whether you are more comfortable meeting online or in-person.  In person meetings will be in Calgary at Foothills Medical Centre.

This 1-year project is expected to start Fall 2022. A maximum of 5 hours of meetings are expected.
We will work with you to learn about your preferences as we are developing our meeting plan.Meeting options are:  1-hour long sessions, 30-minute virtual phone calls, or a one time 2-hour session for co-design in a group.

Patient partners will be offered compensation for their essential collaboration in meetings at a rate of $25/hour through a gift card* of their choice.
We are also offering an additional gift card* of your choice at the end of the project for time spent responding to emails and email feedback requests.
*Available through the service EverythingCard vendors. (Such as Walmart, Canadian Tire, Starbucks, Indigo, Amazon).
Reimbursement will be offered for any out-of-pocket expenses related to in-person collaboration, such as parking.