Patient partners

Patient partners play an important role in providing realism, authenticity, and real-world application to the learning environment. They are individuals with personal experience of the health system that can include informal caregivers, family, friends and members of the public.  

Incorporating patient and family perspectives is essential in developing health science students' competencies for providing Culturally Safe, Person and Family Centred Care (PFCC). Partners work alongside healthcare professionals, educators and administrators to enhance the capacity for PFCC. This collaboration aims to improve the quality of health care, understand patient needs, engage patients in their care, and enhance patient safety. In collaboration with NAIT faculty, students, and staff, patient partners can inform the transformation of healthcare in Alberta.  

Patient partners opportunities

There are multiple opportunities for patient partners in SHLS. Depending on the program and activity, patient partners may be asked to:  

• share their stories as guest speakers in a class
• share their perspective during interprofessional learning activities relating to a variety of topics linked to collaborative practice
• review and provide feedback on simulation scenarios for students 
• provide feedback to help guide curriculum development 
• help develop simulation scenarios

The following SHLS programs are seeking patient partners:   

Becoming a patient partner

Engaging with patients and their families to learn, gain insights, and understand their experiences is an invaluable opportunity for students. By having patients share their health journeys and unique stories, students are exposed to real-life situations that provide a deeper understanding of patient care, different perspectives, and knowledge about the healthcare system.

To enrol, review the following information.

• Please complete the following short questionnaire. All information will be kept confidential.
• Once you have completed the questionnaire, a member of SHLS will reach out to discuss available patient partner opportunities and answer any additional questions you may have. We want to make sure this partnership works for everyone.  
• Depending on the activity, patient partners may be asked to complete a confidentiality agreement. The program will provide any required training and orientation to support your participation. 
• You will be required to complete an online orientation module.