Patient and Family Engagement


Patient Engagement at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Patients have been helping us make decisions about care since the beginning. Patient engagement became even more central in 1989 with the creation of the Patient Alumni. Alumni patients continue to be active members of our team. Members sit on committees, help us roll out new programs, review policies, create staff and patient education materials, and provide input into research priorities. All of this has helped us grow a patient-centered approach to care.

Be a Patient Partner

Patient and family-centered care is at the heart of all that we do. We strive to involve patients, family members, caregivers and the community in discussions that affect care and research at the Institute. Patient Partners bring firsthand experience and insight. We chose the word “partnership” because we believe that patients should be equal partners.

See Be a Patient Partner for more information about becoming a Patient Partner.

UOHI Patient Partnership (UPP) Council

The UOHI Patient Partnership Council is a forum that unites patients, their partners, caregivers and family members with UOHI staff in research and clinical care. Members of UPP contribute their insights, experience and values on clinical practices, research participation and after-care support. UPP members take part on projects within UPP and in the larger Patient Engagement Program at UOHI. Mentorship, project work and consultation make up the pillars of patient involvement in UPP. Members participate in or lead projects related to research and clinical care. All members on the Council share a goal to improve the welfare and outcomes of all UOHI patients.

Council membership includes patients, caregivers, clinical staff, administrative staff, physicians and researchers. The Council is Co-Chaired by a Patient representative, a Clinical representative, and a Research representative.