Background: Patient-oriented research (POR) is a specific application of participatory research that promotes active patient engagement in health research. There is a growing concern that people involved in POR do not reflect the diversity of the population such research aims to serve, but are rather those more 'easily' engaged with institutions, organizations and society. Indigenous peoples are among such groups generally underrepresented in POR. The "Indigenous patient partners platform project" was a small-scale initiative aimed to address the issue of the underrepresentation of Indigenous people in patient-oriented research by recruiting, orienting and supporting Indigenous patient partners in Québec (Canada). This article reports on the findings of an evaluation conducted at the end of the project to garner lessons and identify strategies for engaging Indigenous patient partners in patientoriented research. Methods: The evaluation of this initiative used a case study design hinging on documentary analysis and committee member interviews. Project documents (n = 29) included agendas and meeting minutes, support documents from the orientation workshop and workshop evaluations, and tools the committee developed as part of the project. Interview participants (n = 6) were patients and organizational partners. Thematic analysis was performed by two members of the research team. Patient partners actively contributed to validating the interpretation of result and knowledge translation. Results: Results point to four key components of Indigenous patient partner engagement in POR: initiation of partnership, interest development, capacity building and involvement in research. Specific lessons emphasize the importance of community connections in recruiting, sustaining and motivating patient partners, the need to be flexible in the engagement process, and the importance of consistently valuing patient partner contributions and involvement.

No abstract

Changes in the Canadian military healthcare structure, and an increased reliance on the public healthcare sector, resulted in care fragmentation and a growing dissatisfaction among members with the quality of health services. To remedy the situation, the Canadian Forces began a major re-engineering of its healthcare services. A component of this reform was the implementation of a case management program to improve the continuity of care for members with complex or chronic medical conditions. Member satisfaction surveys revealed that the case management program meets their needs.

No abstract

Libraries at small colleges, especially colleges with a nontraditional student population, face an uphill struggle to remain relevant in the life of the institution. Students at colleges like these tend to be adults who are already in the workforce and have many responsibilities and demands on their time outside of school. These students will usually either come to campus for their classes and leave or take online classes and rarely set foot on campus.