Background

Our health is largely determined by factors outside the healthcare system. Known as the social determinants of health (SDoH), these are the conditions in which we live, grow, work and play.  SDoH include social networks, education, income, housing, childhood experiences, immigration status, gender, ethnocultural background and more. The profound impact of SDoH on one’s health emphasizes the importance of integrating medical and social care provided in primary health care, which includes ensuring primary care teams have information about their patients’ context and living circumstances.

Although primary care providers are responsible for most preventative health care, they have limited, if any, information about SDoH within clinical practice other than age and sex. The SPARK tool (“Screening for Poverty and Related Social determinants to improve Knowledge of and links to resources”) was developed to address this lack of demographic and social data in primary care settings. Our team is the first to implement the SPARK tool in Alberta.

The aim of this work is to enhance information about patients’ SDoH for primary care providers and decision-makers, and to enable clinical teams to better support their patient’s social and economic needs. By collecting SDoH information, we will have a greater understanding of social determinants across populations.

Roles and Responsibilities

We are looking for 5-6 research partners based in Calgary and surrounding area and who are:

-Members of an equity-denied group, with lived experience of the impact of social determinants of health including but not limited to financial constraints, limited educational opportunities, unemployment and job insecurity, food insecurity, unstable housing, social exclusion, challenges accessing healthcare (e.g. geographical), gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, Indigeneity, and disability

-new to patient partner work (have collaborated on less than 3 previous projects)

-considerations will be made to strive for diversity within the patient advisory

The study relies on patient and community partners to engage in a range of project activities based on interests and preferences. These may include:

-Advise on approaches for patient participant recruitment

-Provide input and feedback on recruitment documents

-Advise on implementation of the SPARK tool

-Review and interpret study findings

-Support the co-development and dissemination of materials for a wide audience (e.g. advise on content, writing and presenting)

-Contribute strategies to spread awareness about the SPARK tool

-Advise on future program design for broader and ongoing SPARK tool spread and scale across Alberta

Time Commitment

This study will run from September 2024 to September 2026. We request a commitment of at least one year with the opportunity to extend engagement for the entire study period.

Patient and community partners will attend a 1-hour orientation to gain a deeper understanding of the project’s goals and objectives. Patient and community partners will meet at least once per quarter for 1-1.5 hours over Zoom. Patient and community partners may also be involved in small working groups or independently depending on their interest and availability.

Compensation/Reimbursement

Patient and community partners will be offered compensation at a rate of $25/hour (gift cards) and will be reimbursed for any expenses related to the project (except for internet/phone). Patient and community partners may also have the opportunity to co-author manuscripts and other publications or attend and present at conferences. Training to access and use any required software will be provided.

For more information or to apply, please connect with

Amy Ferris (Community Engagement Specialist)

Amy.ferris2@ucalgary.ca

587.889.1053