Key research themes
1. How do organizational partnership processes influence the effectiveness and success of patient-centered care initiatives in primary health care settings?
This research area investigates the mechanisms, structures, and dynamics within multi-stakeholder partnerships that include patient partners, clinicians, managers, and researchers aiming to improve primary health care (PHC) accessibility and quality. Understanding these processes is critical because effective collaboration is foundational to integrated care delivery models and equitable health care outcomes. The theme addresses the complexity of governance, shared goals, mutual gains, relationship and organizational dynamics, and process management as determinants of partnership success in transforming health systems.
2. What roles, enablers, and barriers characterize effective partnerships between patients and health care teams in collaborative care and research settings?
This theme focuses on the functional roles patients assume in partnerships alongside clinicians and researchers, the factors enabling or hindering these collaborations, and how these influence outcomes from both clinical and research perspectives. It spans domain-specific patient engagement in direct care, quality improvement, research teams, and education. Understanding the nuanced roles and challenges of patient partners informs the design of frameworks, trainings, and governance models to improve collaboration, communication, and mutual respect while fostering effective knowledge exchange.
3. How can tailored technological and navigational interventions support patient partnership in clinical care, particularly for vulnerable groups such as adolescents with chronic illnesses and geriatric oncology patients?
This research theme explores interventions that enhance patient engagement through patient navigation and technological supports designed to accommodate patient complexity and developmental needs. Lay navigation programs and digital tools focus on optimizing patient empowerment, emotional support, and participation, especially for populations with high care needs or developmental vulnerabilities. The theme captures innovative approaches integrating experiential knowledge into care teams, improving patient experience, clinical outcomes, and coordination across the care continuum.