Engage with us and be a part of improving
the care of others!

To design research which can truly improve the lives of patients and families, the CCCTG has recognized the need to engage and develop meaningful partnerships with those most affected by critical illness.

Meaningful engagement goes beyond participation in a research study; it means giving a voice to patients and families in how research is done and how research results are used.

Engagement includes elements of Information Sharing; Activation and Participation; Respect and Dignity; Collaboration; and Decision Making. (Source: Brown et al. Defining patient and family engagement in the intensive care unit. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015 Feb 1;191(3):358-60.)

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What is engagement?

To design research which can truly improve the lives of patients and families, the CCCTG has recognized the need to engage and develop meaningful partnerships with those most affected by critical illness.

Meaningful engagement goes beyond participation in a research study; it means giving a voice to patients and families in how research is done and how research results are used.

The generous participation of many patients and families is the reason the quality of medical care has improved, and continues to improve in the ICU.

To begin this journey together, the CCCTG has created a strategy for patient and family partnerships, described in the following table:

CCCTG Vision

Together, advancing the care of our sickest patients through excellent research

Committee’s Mission

To facilitate partnership between patients and families, researchers, and other health care professionals, so that their combined knowledge and expertise can advance the CCCTG’s ultimate goal of improving (through research and knowledge translation) the lives of and quality of care for critically ill patients and their families. We also strive to translate the research work into best practices to ensure engagement and respect for the voices of the patients and families.

Strategic Directions

Integration

Build and strengthen links with patients, families, and caregivers

Education

Nurture and provide resources for the research community, patients, and family members to facilitate and improve engagement

Dissemination

Share knowledge gained through the patient and family partnership committee

Evaluation

Help evaluate and measure the effectiveness of our engagement

Engagement in research can take many forms.

Here are some ways that you can work with CCCTG to make ICU research more meaningful:

  • let researchers know about the questions which you think are important to study
  • read over study documents like the consent form to make sure they are easy to understand
  • provide input about the study protocol and design
  • help share study results
  • tell your story and how critical care has affected you or your family

Engage with us and be a part of improving
the care of others!

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