* All times are based on Canada/Pacific PDT.
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Our team will be ready to assist with your registration, provide event materials, and answer any queries. You are then welcome to grab breakfast and network until the official opening.
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UBC Health's Portfolio Directors, Dr. Naznin Virji-Babul (Interdisciplinary Research), and Dr. Devin Harris (Health Systems) will provide welcome remarks and set the learning expectations for the event.
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This opening plenary panel invites participants to reflect on how Indigenous knowledge systems are foundational to strengthening BC’s health services. This session explores how Indigenous People are leading health systems transformation in ways that are locally rooted, culturally grounded, and structurally impactful. The panel will explore questions of meaningful collaboration, Indigenous-led governance, and the role of health system actors in supporting and complementing Indigenous leadership. Speakers will share examples and experiences that highlight how Indigenous Knowledge in Action is shaping more just, inclusive, and responsive health systems in BC. This session will set the tone for the day, grounding the event in Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing while inviting all attendees to reflect on their roles in creating space for these approaches to thrive. Speakers: Duane Jackson, Dr. Christopher Horsethief, Dr. Gabrielle Legault, Dawn Thomas
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5 parallel sessionsThis session will explore social media's dual role in supporting and challenging youth mental health, focusing on how it shapes mental health outcomes and how digital resilience can be strengthened through collaboration across the health sector. The discussion aims to move beyond narratives of harm to examine how social media can be leveraged to improve access to mental health resources and supports while addressing the risks that require policy and system-level action. Through a panel discussion and interactive small-group dialogue, participants will: - Examine the current state of the evidence on digital engagement and youth mental health, moving beyond the screen-time debate to a more mechanistic view - Identify how digital tools and social media-based interventions can strengthen mental health access and support - Discuss the urgent policy, research, and system priorities needed to mitigate risks and promote digital resilience - Develop actionable steps and opportunities to implement solutions
The Climate Solutions Research Collective is a pan university initiative that brings together researchers, initiatives and groups addressing climate solutions from multiple lenses. In our Climate Conversations, we bring together faculty from different disciplines to discuss a climate topic from multiple perspectives. In this session, we will bring together researchers from the Faculty of Applied Science (specifically nursing), Faculty of Arts (specifically Geography) and the Faculty of Science to discuss the intersections of climate migration and health. Climate migration is the movement of people due to environmental changes caused by climate change and may be a result of sudden disasters such as flood or fire, or of gradual changes such as sea level rise. The health implications of climate-caused migration events include physical and mental health of migrants, mental health of practitioners, shifting access to care across regions, and many others. The Climate Conversation 'hosts' each share insights from their own research practice in health, migration, and climate (approximately 10 minutes each or 30 minutes total). Following this, participants are welcomed to 'join the conversation' by asking questions or through sharing their own research and practice experience.
Closing the knowledge-to-action (KTA) gap ultimately depends on the people within research and health ecosystems—and their ability to understand themselves, their relationships, and the contexts in which knowledge is implemented. Rooted in The Equity Science Lab’s Ripples of Change Framework for advancing equity in research co-production, this interactive workshop invites participants into a series of bite-sized dialogues that bring the relational heart of KTA work into focus. Together, we’ll explore how shifting power, resources, and opportunities can support the timely and contextually relevant use of evidence. Participants will explore the overlapping ripples of change they can create by: Embracing agency through clarifying roles, responsibilities, and obligations; Cultivating shared goals and mutual accountability across spheres of influence; and Identifying and enacting meaningful actions across every level of the research-to-action ecosystem. Insights from this session will inform an updated Ripples of Change Framework for advancing KTA in health systems, to be shared with all conference attendees.
Explore how diverse learning health system (LHS) initiatives are built, sustained, and scaled across BC. This panel and interactive discussion will showcase examples of LHS work being advanced across various sectors and levels. Participants will explore opportunities to spread and scale these efforts, connect siloed initiatives, and spark ideas for enabling LHS approaches in their own settings. Organized in collaboration with Michael Smith Health Research BC and Vancouver Coastal Health
As researchers increasingly use digital platforms to share expertise and engage the public, they face growing risks of online harassment. This can take forms such as doxing, stalking, and threats of violence, impacting academic freedom, researcher well-being, and career progression. Institutions play a key role in mitigating these risks through proactive policies and strong support systems. This session will share research about online and offline harassment of researchers and health communicators, and about practical actions that people can take to address this problem. Come prepared to participate in scenario exercises to help you think through risks and possible responses for you and your colleagues. This section is for people who have or might face online harassment, who would like to support colleagues facing this issue, or those more generally interested in challenges of knowledge mobilization in our tumultuous information ecosystem. This session will provide actionable insights to help foster a safer and more supportive environment.
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7 parallel sessionsThroughout Canada, rural and remote communities - and particularly First Nations communities - are disproportionately impacted by climate-related hazards such as wildfires, drought, and flooding. Climate change events can lead to adverse mental health and psychosocial impacts, including post-traumatic stress disorder, increased substance use and suicidality, as well as general concerns about the wellbeing of affected communities. These events often place an additional burden on mental health service providers, both professionally, by increasing the demand for mental health supports, and personally, by simultaneously impacting them as members of these communities. Despite increasing awareness of the intersections between climate change and mental health, there is limited attention to the potential mental health impacts and exposure to trauma faced by researchers seeking to understand the impacts of climate change on affected communities. This session is designed for community members, health practitioners, and researchers interested in the mental health impacts of climate change and climate-related hazards. Session organizers will discuss the psychosocial implications and mental health impacts of climate change and climate-related research. Come prepared to discuss your experiences of climate change events, and to share strategies and best practices for mitigating adverse mental health impacts through trauma-informed approaches.
Canada Health Infoway holds national databases of all practitioners across Canada, including location and working hours/ These national systems exist for Electronic Health Record (EHR.) systems that hold lab and hospital information, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) that hold clinicians’ records from their practices, clinics and records, and Personal Health Records (PHRs) that hold people’s information for health and wellness. We could ease access to patient and community care, and streamline HCP’s work tasks by leading the design and implementation of these new eReferral/eConsult standards. Audience invited to actively engage with specific examples of where we can expand providers using the fast eReferral/eConsult system. Particpants can expect: 1. Panel discussion about innovative research project led by Professor Barb Marcolin for nimble Personal Health Record (PHR) which is a compliant HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperable Resources (FHIR) standard called the pan-Canadian eReferral/eConsult. Its easy installation is a pop-up window in offices’ and clinics’ EMRs or EHRs use the same systems standards and compliance. 2. Perspectives for building collaborative teams around Team-based care (TBC) initiatives and managing unclear roles and mistrust and outcomes focus on building better team culture. 3. Emphasis on bridging to the Interior region and in more rural BC networks.
Beyond the Binary (BTB) is a British Columbia seeded and nationally stewarded initiative that has produced guidance for gender inclusive health research practices. BTB acknowledges how research is a key determinant of health equity, as research informs health care programs, policies, and practices. The BTB guide was co-created with research partners and people with lived/living experience of gender-based inequities. The guidance prioritizes community generated terminology, models justice and person-centered principles, and provides examples unique to research processes and contexts. It is both relevant to researchers and responsive to communities. Our session aims to facilitate implementation of gender inclusive practices from the guide into real world settings with health care providers, researchers, trainees, and members of the public. We will provide an overview of BTB processes and sections of the guide, including: why language matters, and how to sustain commitments to gender inclusivity. We will facilitate dialogue in accordance with the BOPPPS Model: (1) “Bridge-in attendees’ commitments with BTB’s transformative solutions, (2) establish our Objectives, (3) gauge baselines with a Pre-assessment, (4) facilitate Participatory learning (group work), (5) evaluate integrations with a Post-assessment, and (6) Summarize key points, including the connections made among ideas and people to drive change. Groups will agree upon an experience-based scenario and identify opportunities and strategies to action BTB guidance throughout decision-making. Each group will have a session presenter join them to serve as a resource and to anchor BTB guidance. Attendees will practice and reflect upon their application of BTB guidance.
What makes LHS worth investing in, and how can we communicate that value to decision-makers, funders, and communities? As learning health systems (LHS) gain traction across BC, the need to clearly demonstrate and communicate their value has never been more pressing. This interactive session will explore how LHS impact is defined, measured, and conveyed. Participants will hear reflections on real-world efforts to evaluate LHS initiatives and generative discussion on communicating with diverse audiences, followed by a collaborative activity designed to surface practical strategies and metrics. The goal is to strengthen the ability of participants to make the case for investment, adoption and sustainability of LHS initiatives and learning communities in their own contexts. Organized in collaboration with Michael Smith Health Research BC and Vancouver Coastal Health
The goal of this session is to share provincial work in the context of integrating AI into health systems and discuss perspectives, opportunities, and considerations for AI applications.
The UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences led the 3-year implementation of the Pharmacists in Primary Care Networks (PCN) Program in collaboration with regional health authorities and PCNs across the province. Primary Care Clinical Pharmacists (PCCPs) were integrated into the evolving team-based primary care model over the implementation period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2023. The PCCPs’ primary role as a member of the interprofessional team was to identify and resolve drug therapy problems to optimize patient medications and improve health outcomes. This session will describe and discuss the Pharmacists in PCN Program from conception through evaluation of the 3-year implementation. All participants (patients, clinicians, administrators, policy makers), interested in team-based primary care will learn and further discuss: • Goals, structure/design and evaluation framework of the Pharmacists in PCN Program; • Implementation and quality of care outcomes observed during a mixed methods evaluation; and • Lessons learned and recommendations to support an effective and efficient model of team-based primary care in BC Participants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts/views on our experiences and further discuss potential measures and opportunities to further support efficient and effective team-based primary care in BC and/or recommendations to address shared challenges.
The Innovation Support Unit’s (ISU) Team-Based Care Transformation tools help teams collaborate, co-design solutions, and enhance patient-centred care. These tools have been applied across clinical teams, Primary Care Networks, acute care, governance tables, and communities engaged in system transformation. In this interactive implementation workshop, we’ll explore Team Mapping, Primary & Community Care (PACC) Mapping, and Objective & Key Result (OKR) Driver Diagrams—three key tools developed to bridge participatory research and action in team-based care. Team Mapping and PACC Mapping help teams identify connections, surface insights, and explore ideas, while the OKR Driver Diagram translates these insights into concrete, measurable steps. Together, these methods help teams visualize their system, define key roles, resources, and communication strategies, and create actionable implementation plans. Come prepared to explore your team's structure and relationships through interactive mapping activities that support collaboration and care transformation. This session is for healthcare providers, leaders, and quality improvement specialists interested in strengthening team-based care through practical, evidence-informed tools. Together, we will explore tools to create actionable implementation plans using Team Mapping, PACC Mapping, and Driver Diagrams to support meaningful improvements.
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5 parallel sessionsCome prepared to learn about a collaboration between the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), and Interior Health (IH), which evaluated the suicide screening protocols within IH emergency departments. This session is for policymakers, healthcare professionals, academics, and anyone interested in health system transformation. Together we will discuss the collaboration between UBCO, CMHA, and IH, as well as preliminary results from the study
Rural and remote communities experience significant healthcare inequities due to limited infrastructure, workforce shortages, geographic isolation, and socioeconomic disparities. The rapid expansion of digital health technologies, including telehealth and AI-powered medical imaging, offers potential solutions but presents implementation challenges, particularly regarding the digital divide between urban and rural settings. • Come prepared to engage in roundtable discussions on designing, implementing, and governing AI/digital health tools in rural BC, drawing on your own experience as a health care provider, researcher, patient, caregiver, or community member. • This session is for researchers, health care providers, policy stakeholders, patients and community members interested in exploring how AI can address priority health needs and overcome implementation barriers in rural and Indigenous contexts. • Participants will hear case examples of AI in Rural Health before we breakout into roundtable discussions on priority health needs, barriers to implementation, potential solutions and vote on themes to determine items most important, most actionable. Discussion Topics: 1. Key Priority Health Needs & Gaps for Rural and Indigenous Communities in BC. 2. Barriers and Risks in the Design, Development, and Implementation of Digital Health and AI Tools. 3. Solutions, Sustainability and Policy Needs for AI and Digital Health Tools in Rural BC.
Though essential to the health of Canadians, the healthcare system includes significant gaps when considering the emotional, relational and personal aspects of disease. Endometriosis, affecting more than 1 million Canadians, is a challenging diagnosis to receive as there is no cure, limited healthcare options and a significant delay to diagnosis leaving people in substantial pain—sometimes for decades. This pain, coupled with a system that struggles to effectively treat and support women, can lead to long-term consequences, even for patients who have had the disease effectively treated and managed. Arts-based research in the form of photography and digital storytelling provides an opportunity to fill this gap in the healthcare system and create meaningful change for people with endometriosis. Arts-based research can be used for therapeutic purposes, knowledge translation and advocacy by researchers, healthcare providers and patients alike, thus instilling hope for the future. Come prepared to hear patient stories about living with endometriosis This session is for people who are interested in exploring arts-based research methods specifically photovoice and digital storytelling Together we will discuss the approaches, considerations and potential uses of arts-based research methods Attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the methods and considerations for embarking on an arts-based research project. They will also develop a mini workplan and gain insights into working with diverse stakeholders.
Strengthening Collaboration between Health Authorities and Academic Institutions to Advance Shared Research Priorities Organized in collaboration with Michael Smith Health Research BC
Assessing access to primary care requires more than tracking service availability—it demands a nuanced understanding of timeliness, affordability, quality, and equity. Influenced by geography, socioeconomic status, cultural and language barriers, and individual circumstances, access remains one of the most complex aspects of healthcare to measure and improve. This interactive virtual session will introduce a practical, report card-style tool designed to communicate the state of primary care access in a clear and compelling way. Grounded in Levesque’s access framework, the tool supports both in-depth analysis and strategic dialogue and decision-making. Discover a unique method for translating complex data on primary care access into a report card-style tool—designed to communicate clearly with stakeholders while still supporting in-depth analysis and strategic decision-making. The session will be especially relevant for those working in evaluation, planning, or delivery of primary care who are looking for tools to assess access across time and populations. Participants will have the opportunity to share perspectives, test the framework against their own experience, and offer input to help refine and strengthen the model.
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This session serves as a reflective and integrative conversation that weaves together insights from across Day 1. In a conversational format, panellists from across the health ecosystem—patients, providers, researchers, and policymakers—will highlight key takeaways, promising practices, and forward-looking strategies to support the movement from research to action. This session encourages reflection on what is working, what challenges persist, and how we can strengthen reciprocal relationships that enable research, policy, and practice to evolve together. It also provides an opportunity to elevate the voices of patients and providers as core contributors to system change.
