Partnering in research that matters

2023-2024 Report to Community now available

The Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) is pleased to release our annual Report to Community, highlighting our activities between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

This report, available in French and English, brings you inspiring stories behind the numbers – how health research partnerships, innovative approaches and patient voices are transforming health care across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This is more than a report; it’s a celebration of collaboration, progress and the power of patient-oriented research in the Maritimes.

Read the report

New Science Lead for Learning Health Systems

An interview with Dr. Lori Wozney

Last month, we welcomed Dr. Lori Wozney to the role of MSSU Science Lead, Learning Health Systems. Lori brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, particularly in the areas of mental health and addictions.

Read our interview with Lori to learn more about her, her inspiration for joining MSSU leadership and approach to addressing challenges in advancing learning health systems.

New requirement for Trainee Support Program

Competition opens January 27, 2025

Are you a trainee applying for the MSSU Trainee Support Program in 2025?

We have added a new pre-requisite for all applicants to complete the Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA ) e-learning Course: A How-to Guide for Patient Engagement in Research.

The course modules aim to help patient partners, researchers, trainees and others on research teams do meaningful patient engagement in research. Trainees are encouraged to complete this valuable free training from CIHR and include the completion certificate in their MSSU Trainee Support Program application.

Start the course

Maritime Health Research Summit

Moving the Dial on Learning Health Systems

Thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and virtually, and to all who helped make this event a memorable one.

This year’s summit held October 24 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was filled with inspiring discussions, new insights and moments that highlighted the power of collaborative research to drive healthcare improvements across the Maritimes. Throughout the summit, speakers, patient partners, and attendees shared ideas and reflected on the unique aspects of a Learning Health System (LHS). We also heard real-world examples of how research is impacting our communities and improving lives.

Learn more

Top 5 Resources to jumpstart your patient-oriented research journey

Curated by Lisa MacDougall, MSSU Patient Engagement Coordinator

Embarking on a patient-oriented research journey? Start off strong with these practical tips and tools designed to help you meaningfully engage patients, partners, and the public in your work.

1: Engage early and often

Involve Patient/Public Partners from the start by planning goals, meetings, and activities collaboratively. Maintain clear and regular communication about timelines, progress, next steps, and results.

👉 Download the SCPOR Onboarding Guide for POR Teams

2: Plan for diversity

Ensure your research reflects diverse perspectives by intentionally including voices from underrepresented groups.

👉 Explore the BC SPOR Diversity Tapestry

3: Budget for engagement

Allocate resources for meaningful patient engagement, including compensation for their time and expertise.

👉 Use the Patient Engagement Budget Builder

4: Adopt a flexible approach

Continuously assess and adapt your engagement strategies with a critical lens to ensure they’re effective and inclusive.

👉 Readiness to Engage Workbook

5: Show the impact of engagement

Maintain a record of how PPPs’ insights shape your project and share these contributions with them.

👉 Learn How to Document Engagement

💡 Pro Tip: Bookmark these resources and revisit them throughout your research journey. They're designed to support you every step of the way!

For more information, you can request a free consultation with MSSU Patient Engagement Coordinator Lisa MacDougall.

Request a Consult

Maritime research team releases findings on unmet mental health needs during COVID-19

Insights may help address gaps in mental health care delivery

New insights from an MSSU interprovincial study provides critical evidence on how some mental health needs went unmet during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project united researchers and Patient/Public Partners from across the Maritimes to tackle mental health and addiction—identified as a top health priority by all three provincial governments. Learn more about this collaborative work and explore the findings in our full report, summary slides and infographic available on our website.

See the findings

Congratulations to MSSU Association Scientist

Dr. Gabrelie Ilie awarded Public Impact Award

Dr. Gabriela Ilie, Associate Professor, Dalhousie University was recently awarded the Public Impact Award, presented by Research Nova Scotia. This award recognizes a Nova Scotian researcher in academia, a public research institution, government, or the private sector, whose research has benefited Nova Scotians by tangibly improving the economy, environment, healthcare system, or society. The recipient’s work has developed in response to the needs of society, and is solving a problem, managing a risk, or creating an opportunity for Nova Scotians.

Learn more

PATIENT ENGAGEMENT

Are you on the list?

Get engagement opportunities delivered to your inbox

Every time a new engagement opportunity is posted on our MSSU website subscribers will receive an email notification with a direct link to view the opportunity. This new process is designed to make it easier for patients and the public to stay connected and engaged with projects that could benefit from their valuable input. You can sign up at the bottom of our Patient Engagement Opportunities webpage.

BREATHE Trial (study on extubation after cardiac surgery)

Help share the priorities of a systematic review for a study on removing the breathing tube in cardiac surgery patients.

Learn more

Engaging Islanders in mapping climate-related social and health factors

Join a research team aiming to identify the populations most vulnerable to climate change.

Learn more

View all our current Patient Engagement Opportunities or Submit an Opportunity for patient engagement.

EVENTS & TRAINING

January 17, 2025 | 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. AT

Online | ENGLISH

January 29, 2025 | 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. AT

Online | FRENCH

The MSSU Patient-Oriented Research Training Practicum builds on the on the modules of the CIHR-IMHA’s e-learning: A How-to-Guide to Patient Engagement. In our free, 2.5-hour workshop, you will put the theory from the CIHR e-learning modules into practice. This workshop is co-led by a Patient/Public Partner who shares valuable insight into the evolution and practice of patient engagement in research.

New Learning Health Systems webinar series

First session available on YouTube

We are excited to announce MSSU Presents: Learning Health Systems in Action, a brand-new webinar series launched on November 14, 2024. Building on the success of the Keeping up with Knowledge Translation series, this new series explores the core elements of a Learning Health System (LHS) through a Maritime lens. Stay tuned for registration details for the next session in 2025. The first session featured Leah Boulos and Rob Wells who shared their experience working on a systematic review of digital education for cardiac surgery patients—and tips for how to successfully do a systematic review in collaboration with Patient/Public Partners and knowledge users.

Watch the recording

OTHER NEWS & EVENTS | SPOR COMMUNITY

Apply for a POR-Mitacs Fellowship by February 7, 2025

Develop skills in patient-oriented research with the POR-Mitacs Fellowships. These Fellowships offer unique support for inspiring projects to undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees from all disciplines. Up to $50,000 in funding, plus an allowance for training and networking is available along with a six-month internship with a partner organization and personalized mentorship opportunities.

Learn more

PUBLICATIONS

Co-authored by MSSU Science Lead Lori Wozney and staff Elizabeth Lappin

Centering equity, diversity, and inclusion in youth digital mental health | October 2024

If we've supported your patient-oriented research and/or you've published your findings, let us know by emailing communications@mssu.ca to include in our next newsletter.