MSSU announces 2024/25 Trainee Support Program recipients

Supporting the next generation of patient-oriented researchers in the Maritimes

We are pleased to announce the funding recipients of the 2024-2025 Trainee Support Program, an initiative that provides vital financial support to trainees engaged in patient-oriented health research across the Maritimes. The MSSU has selected 10 outstanding individuals to receive funding for the upcoming year with a total investment of $190,000. Read the full story online and to see the list of recipients and their successful health research projects.

New Patient Engagement Opportunity Alerts

New notification system sends subscribers opportunities as soon as they are posted

We are excited to share a new process that is being implemented to keep you better informed about patient engagement opportunities in health research across the Maritimes.

What’s new?

Starting September 3, 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’re already added!

If you are already a MSSU Patient/Public Partner, your email address will automatically be included in our new distribution list for these opportunity alerts. But don’t worry, you can unsubscribe at anytime! Anyone can sign up to receive alerts using the form at the bottom of our opportunity webpage. 

Ensuring your research is truly patient-oriented requires more than just good intentions—it involves a deliberate and thoughtful approach to engaging those with lived experience at every stage of your project. Patient-oriented research is all about centering the voices of patients and communities, making sure their perspectives shape the questions you ask, the methods you use, and the outcomes you measure. Here are the top three ways to know that your research is authentically patient-oriented, and one (of many) key resource to learn more.

People with lived experience are included as partners on your research team and engaged in all stages of the research process in a way that is meaningful for them and according to their choice and interests.

Key Resource

You are able to demonstrate that your project answers questions and measures outcomes that matter to patients.

Key Resource

Participatory methods were used throughout the research process to engage people with lived experience in making decisions about your health research project or program.

Key Resource

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

To recognize September as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month, we want to highlight a FASD research project supported by the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit. A team of Moncton researchers from Vitalité Health Network and the Université de Moncton are leading a study looking at New Brunswick youth’s experiences in the health care system before being referred to the NB FASD Centre of Excellence. The research integrates patients as equal partners in the research team. This process ensures the research remains relevant and grounded in real-world experiences. The research is a continuation of a previous descriptive study: “Medical diagnoses and use of health resources prior to a FASD diagnosis” which looked at the amount and frequency of patient’s diagnoses and visits with healthcare professionals prior to be referred to the NB FASD Centre of Excellence.

Location: New Brunswick, UNB

Deadline to Apply: August 31, 2024

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

September 19, 2024 | 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. AT

Online | ENGLISH

October 16, 2024 | 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.

Thank you for your overwhelming interest and support! We're thrilled to announce that all in-person spots for the summit have been spoken for. This incredible response shows the dedication and passion of our community towards advancing health research in the Maritimes.

But don't worry if you missed out—there's still an opportunity to join us virtually! We look forward to connecting with you, whether in person or online.

October 17, 2024 at 12 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. AT | Online

This session will answer your questions regarding how researchers, students and data partners can engage with Data Centres in the Maritimes.

In this Lunch and Learn session, we will provide an overview of the data services available at Health Data Nova Scotia (HDNS) and Brunswick Institute for Research, Data, and Training (NB-IRDT). This will include information about the data available at Maritime Data Centres, including the anticipated CLSA and Atlantic PATH data, how to submit a data access request, what happens after a data request is approved and more.

OTHER EVENTS | SPOR COMMUNITY

November 14-15 | Moncton, NB

ResearchNB Health Research Symposium

The Health Research Symposium is an event that puts the spotlight on health research happening in New Brunswick. Dive into engaging discussions, learn from top-notch speakers, and get inspired by the innovation across the province.

November 14 | British Columbia (virtual livestream available)

Putting Patients First 2024

This annual conference hosted by the BC SUPPORT Unit advances learning communities to improve health and health research ecosystems. Leaders in the health and health research communities, from patients to policy makers, are welcome. There is no cost to attend.

September 10-12 | Virtual

PXP Conference 2024

This free, virtual event aims to bring you a wealth of knowledge, skills and resources on Patient Engagement in health research. PxP is specifically For Patients. While there has been excellent progress in the available patient engagement resources, many of these are designed for researchers. Although we welcome health researchers to join us at the event in September, our key priority will be patient partners and other individuals with lived experience.

Co-authored by MSSU Patient/Public Partners Trudy Flynn and Linda Verlinden

Effectiveness of physical rehabilitation for physical functioning and quality of life in long-term care residents with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis | August 2024

Co-authored by MSSU staff Mary-Ann MacSwain Standing and Robyn Kydd

2019 Prince Edward Island Gambling Prevalence Study | July 2024

Co-authored by MSSU staff Amy Grant and former staff Amy Mireault

Practice recommendations regarding parental presence in NICUs during pandemics cause by respiratory pathogens like COVID-19 | June 12, 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.