CAHSPR 2020 Saskatoon May 26-29 Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research. Can we open the door wider for patient research partners?

[A Former User]

repeating my post from http://patientadvisors.groupsite.com/discussion/topics/757433 that was straying into new territory...

Hey, Brenda! Your posting [Feb 17] is a great account of persistence and achievement. I share your discomfort and Annette's indignation about registration. Your example is infuriating: conference costs on patients who work for free or very minimal honoraria. We have the same passion for learning, sharing and networking as everyone else who attends conferences. We already sacrifice financially (and other ways) to contribute what's supposed to be essential for better healthcare services and policy. So we just ask for a level playing field.

I've attended a few CAHSPR conferences, thanks to good fortune with expenses assistance. Last year in Halifax at CAHSPR I made a nuisance of myself at the microphone and in one-on-one conversations with board members about lowering the financial barriers to patient partners. We are now intrinsic to SPOR and deemed required for co-produced health services and policy development / implementation / evaluation. Okay, if we are so necessary and deemed so valuable, then why isn't every effort ($$) made for significant numbers at the conference??

I asked that patient partners should be charged a subsidized nominal registration, say, $35. Then CIHR should offer a comparable travel bursary, funded just like for students for which we can apply in advance to attend CAHSPR or other research related conferences.

Instead here's what we've got for May 26-29, 2020 in Saskatoon (this is the first time for a patient policy on registration!):

Patient representatives who are employed in the healthcare system will receive 50% off the category they fall into on the registration rate card. Patient representatives who are not employed in the healthcare system will receive a flat rate of $200 for early bird registration and $250 for regular registration.

Not too many of us would call ourselves "patient representatives". Would an academic researcher say they were representing academic researchers? Hardly. So against what income do we expense our $200-$250? Oh, the grocery budget, I get it.

I respect this first try but am disappointed. Perhaps you or other PAN members might write to the new CAHSPR executive director Maggie Keresteci? I don't know Maggie personally, but her twitter presence makes it clear she is an experienced patient and caregiver who does not hesitate as a strong advocate for our respected involvement within the system. Perhaps she can champion our cause with the CAHSPR Board, once again?

The argument for offering a wide open welcome to Sask's wealth of experienced patient partners is very compelling. Worth a try? I'd relaunch my campaign but realize my voice may now carry unhelpful baggage. In any case, hope to see you and many PAN members in May in Saskatoon. Fingers crossed. Keep us posted!

Best wishes to all. Cheers, Carolyn