News
PVN Orientation: Prince George, BC Saturday, June 2
Would you like to be part of transforming health care in BC? The Patient Voices Network provides opportunities for patients, families and caregivers in BC to participate in primary health care changes. We are all patients!
Patient Voices Network will be hosting an orientation for individuals living in Prince George, and the surrounding area. Volunteers who join the Network will be invited to participate in a variety of opportunities to share their experiences and contribute ideas for improving health care in BC.
Upcoming Orientation: Saturday, June 2, 10am – 3pm
Aims of the Orientation Session:
- To introduce participants to the overall aims and objectives of Patient Voices Network and how the initiative supports Patients as Partners, Ministry of Health
- To give participants a better idea of how they might participate in transforming the health care system in BC
- To provide participants with an opportunity to meet others who share their commitment
If you are interested in attending this orientation session, as a first step please REGISTER with us through our website or by calling 1 888 742-1772.
PVN Orientation: Penticton , BC Saturday, June 9
Would you like to be part of transforming health care in BC? The Patient Voices Network provides opportunities for patients, families and caregivers in BC to participate in primary health care changes. We are all patients!
Patient Voices Network will be hosting an orientation for individuals living in Penticton, and the surrounding area. Volunteers who join the Network will be invited to participate in a variety of opportunities to share their experiences and contribute ideas for improving health care in BC.
Upcoming Orientation: Saturday, June 9, 10am – 3pm
Aims of the Orientation Session:
- To introduce participants to the overall aims and objectives of Patient Voices Network and how the initiative supports Patients as Partners, Ministry of Health
- To give participants a better idea of how they might participate in transforming the health care system in BC
- To provide participants with an opportunity to meet others who share their commitment
If you are interested in attending this orientation session, as a first step please REGISTER with us through our website or by calling 1 888 742-1772.
PVN Orientation:Vanderhoof, BC Sunday, April 29
Would you like to be part of transforming health care in BC? The Patient Voices Network provides opportunities for patients, families and caregivers in BC to participate in primary health care changes. We are all patients!
The Patient Voices Network is a vibrant community of individuals of all ages and backgrounds who wish to use their experiences towards positive change to the health care system. Through the Network, they receive the opportunities, skill-building, and support to participate openly and collaboratively towards a better system.
Patient Voices Network will be hosting a tailored orientation for residents of Vanderhoof, Prince George, and the surrounding area. Volunteers who join the Network will be invited to participate in a variety of opportunities to share their experiences and contribute ideas for improving health care in BC.
Aims of the Orientation Session:
- To introduce participants to the overall aims and objectives of Patient Voices Network and how the initiative supports Patients as Partners, Ministry of Health
- To give participants a better idea of how they might participate in transforming the health care system in BC
- To provide participants with an opportunity to meet others who share their commitment
If you are interested in attending this orientation session, please REGISTER with us through our website or by calling 1 888 742-1772.
Voices in Action
On March 2, patients, health care providers, health authorities, the Patient Voices Network, and the Ministry of Health hosted the second annual Voices in Action provincial forum in Vancouver.
Participants included over 50 patients from throughout BC, health care providers, and representatives from health authorities, Vancouver Coastal Health’s Community Engagement Advisory Network (CEAN), and the Ministry of Health.
Sharing Stories
Voices in Action is an annual opportunity for diverse partners to connect face-to-face, to "all teach and all learn", and to be inspired. Success stories and innovative projects from Providence Health Care, CEAN, Fraser Health’s Shared Care Committee, and the General Practice Service Committee were just a few that were highlighted.
Participants began the day with a story-sharing activity that motivated patients to 'fine tune' their patient story. In our evaluations, 93% of respondents rated this activity as meaningful.
Workshops on story-telling, public speaking, quality improvement, self-care and the medicine wheel approach provided participants with new knowledge and key learnings. Evaluations showed that 92% of participants rated these sessions as valuable, and many patients told us they learned new tools that they could apply directly to their work with PVN and CEAN.
Panel Discussion
In the afternoon participants engaged in a lively discussion with four panellists:
- Ryan Dirnback, RN student and active patient partner from Northern Health
- Lynn Kelsey, retired RN and active patient from Interior Health
- Dr. Garey Mazowita, BC Ministry of Health’s physician representative on the General Practice Services Committee
- Jody Sydor Jones, Director of Community Engagement for Vancouver Coastal Health
The panel and participants provided concrete examples of patient and public engagement. Some of the highlights included emphasizing the need for accessibility and health literacy; remembering that you (the patient) are the expert; the importance of remembering to be yourself and trusting yourself to tell your own story; and that training and supporting patients to focus on the patient perspective without an agenda is seen as invaluable.
The importance of trust was also highlighted - patients trusting providers to listen and providers trusting patients to be open and collaborative. Communications within organications about patient and public engagement was identified as a challenge: there is still work to be done.
Here is what our patients had to say
For Marjorie of Kitimat, the story-telling workshop by Norma Cameron gave her a great deal to think about. In a blog post, she explores the power of stories for patient partners, and a few specific tools she gained to make her stories resonate with others and create deeper meaning for herself.
Read the full blog post.
Aisha of Kamloops talked about what she learned throughout the day, and the value of connecting with a range of patients outside her area.
Read her blog post.
Brian of Fort St. John was one of our opening speakers and agreed to let us share this excerpt from his speech. Brian is a very active PVN member and volunteer, and had some inspirational and humourous observations on the meaning of “collaboration”.
Read the blog post.
PVN orientation in Nanaimo
Would you like to be part of transforming health care in BC? The Patient Voices Network provides opportunities for patients, families and caregivers in BC to participate in primary health care changes. We are all patients!
Upcoming Orientation: Saturday, March 31st, 10am – 3pm
Aims of the Orientation Session:
- To introduce participants to the overall aims and objectives of Patient Voices Network and how the initiative supports Patients as Partners, Ministry of Health
- To give participants a better idea of how they might participate in transforming the health care system in BC
- To provide participants with an opportunity to meet others who share their commitment
If you are interested in attending this orientation session, as a first step please REGISTER with us through our website or by calling 1 888 742-1772.
Register today to reserve your spot.
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