Patient and Community Engagement Research (PaCER) Program: Insights and reflections

The Patient and Community Engagement Research (PaCER) program is a 12-month online experiential-based learning program delivered through the University of Calgary Continuing Education in collaboration with the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit, Patient Engagement Team. Teams of sponsored learners gain understanding of participatory health research approaches and methods and develop skills in participatory health research. They then apply these to design, develop and carry out a complete qualitative research project about a health issue or healthcare practice that matters to them.

PaCER teams are comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. PaCER projects follow an innovative PaCER process and centre on patient experience and perspective of diverse health and health care related issues. Our presentation will share about the PaCER program course content and delivery. As well, learners from previous and current PaCER teams will describe their unique projects and share reflections on their PaCER experience and additional health research work their PaCER training has supported them to pursue. We will also offer time for Q&A.