Patient Engagement in Patient-Oriented Research Certificate

This certificate course is part of the AbSPORU Leadership in Patient-Oriented Research Microcredential.

April 21 to June 27, 2025

Overview

Engaging patients as research partners is fundamental to patient-oriented research. The Patient Engagement in Research Certificate course introduces key concepts, methods, and strategies for engaging patients as partners. As research team members, patient partners help to shape research questions, actively collaborate on health research studies, contribute to knowledge translation, and more. Course content was developed collaboratively by experts in patient-oriented research (POR) and patient engagement, including patient partners.

This course aims to inspire researchers to:

Meaningfully engage patients as partners throughout their research initiative;
Collaborate in POR that addresses health priorities that patients have identified; and
Undertake research that aims to improve health outcomes for patients.

Format and Workload Expectations

Delivered fully online over 10 weeks, this course offers live webinars led by POR and patient engagement experts, including patient partners. Asynchronous eLearning modules, readings, online discussion forums, and project-based assignments provide opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge you are learning, and to connect with others to share ideas and experiences. Plan to spend 3-4 hours on these course activities each week.

Course Syllabus

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this certificate, learners will be able to:

Describe the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, patient engagement and patient partnership.
Develop and complete a comprehensive patient engagement plan and budget for project learners who are currently working on or considering patient engagement.
Recognize practices and value of reflexive and evaluative practices in qualitative health research.

Content

The Patient Engagement in Research Certificate course covers:

Overview of The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Strategy for Patient Engagement
Establishing a Common Patient Engagement in Patient-Oriented Research Language
Patient Engagement Frameworks
Patient Partner Roles and Opportunities
Ethical Considerations
Patient Partner Compensation and Reimbursement
Patient Partner Recruitment for Patient Engagement Plans & Averting Fake Participants
Evaluation of Patient Partnerships
Opportunities for Dissemination including Co-Authorship

Questions?

Contact Diane Christensen

CALGARY

University of Calgary Foothills Campus
3330 Hospital Dr NW
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

EDMONTON

University of Alberta North Campus
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA)
11405 87 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9

Land Acknowledgment

The Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit operates on and acknowledges the lands that are the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Namely: the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta. This includes the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We make this acknowledgment as a reaffirmation of our shared commitment towards reconciliation, and as part of AbSPORU’s mandate towards fostering health system transformation.

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