Patients Included Charter Clauses

Health Quality Transformation is built in partnership with patients, families and caregiver advisors.

To demonstrate our commitment to including the experiences and insights of patients, their families and caregivers throughout the day, we are sharing the following statements that describe how the conference program is developed.

Visit the Patients Included website for more information about these statements.

• Charter Clause 1: Patients or caregivers with experience relevant to the conference’s central theme actively participate in the design and planning of the event, including the selection of themes, topics and speakers.

  Health Quality Transformation takes place on October 17th in Toronto, London, Ottawa, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay. This year marks the 7th year Health Quality Ontario is partnering with patients and caregivers to host this conference for health care providers, system leaders and members of the public.

  The Planning Committee is made up of Health Quality Ontario staff and two patient advisors to select the conference theme, lead planning and to advise on the overall program for the day. This year, the committee identified three themes for the conference focusing on the calls to action in Quality Matters – our framework for how what makes a quality health system:

  • Delivering and improving quality care
  • Measuring quality to better understand it
  • Fostering a culture of quality

  
  

  With these themes in mind, the Committee recruited over 35 patient advisors to support planning breakout sessions and over xxx patient advisors were invited to speak during sessions to share their lived experience perspective. In total, 19 of 29 breakout sessions had a patient advisor partner with staff to select the topic, content, format and speakers.

  The conference also invites abstract submissions to present outstanding work in health care quality. 17 patient advisors participated in the review and selection of posters to present at the conference. They selected projects in a variety of categories including: engaging patients and the public in improving care, ensuring technology works for all, supporting innovation and spread of knowledge, and more. Abstracts will be featured in breakout sessions or as posters.

  Health Quality Transformation also features several networking opportunities allowing patient and family advisors from across our health system to come together to share experiences and best practices, including a luncheon co-designed by two patients to provide an opportunity for patient advisors from across Ontario to network.

• Charter Clause 2: Patients or caregivers with experience of the issues addressed by the event participate in its delivery, and appear in its physical audience.

  Health Quality Transformation 2018 is a free event, open to the public to attend. Our communication outreach includes patient focused organizations, and representatives from across the province, as well as the general public.

  The patient and caregiver perspective is a central theme of HQT2018 and the work overall of Health Quality Ontario. Patients and caregivers are part of the program from development, design, execution and play a large role in as session and plenary speakers, participants and will lead conversations generating dialogue amongst the anticipated 2500 delegates.

  Patient advisors can also volunteer to help host the conference to help fellow delegates navigate the day of the event. From wayfinding, to providing information, volunteers will help play a critical function to help delegates feel welcomed and comfortable.

• Charter Clause 3: Travel and accommodation expenses for patients or caregivers participating in the advertised program are paid in full, in advance. Scholarships are provided by the conference organizers to allow patients or caregivers affected by the relevant issues to attend as delegates.

  While Health Quality Transformation 2018 is a free event, Health Quality Ontario acknowledges that costs incurred for travel and accommodation can impact patient advisors ability to attend. Therefore, we have established a bursary program for patient advisors hoping to attend the conference.

  All travel and accommodation expenses for patients or caregivers who helped plan the conference, as well as those participating as speakers or volunteers are paid in full, and in advance if required.

• Charter Clause 4: The disability requirements of participants are accommodated. All applicable sessions, breakouts, ancillary meetings, and other program elements are open to patient delegates.

  Health Quality Transformation is committed to preventing and removing barriers to access the conference. All plenary, breakout sessions and other program elements are open to patient delegates.

  This year the conference is held across five locations – in Toronto, London, Ottawa, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay – who are all committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”).

• Charter Clause 5: Access for virtual participants is facilitated, with free streaming video provided online wherever possible.

  We recognize some people are not able to travel to one of the conference locations. Delegates may choose to participate in some sessions virtually through the Ontario Telemedicine Network. We will also make a livestream link available if possible.