Two Years of Progress, Partnership, and Practical Change (2024–2025)
Over the past two years, one thing has become undeniable: patient engagement in Canada is evolving—from an important principle to an essential practice.
The Patient Engagement Forum: Collaboration for Innovation was created to bring together patient leaders, caregivers, public-sector teams, academics, and industry partners in a shared space: a place to learn from what’s working, tackle what isn’t, and build real momentum toward meaningful, measurable, and equitable engagement. And across 2024 and 2025, the Forum has done exactly that.
Proudly brought to you by Patient Voice Partners and co-hosted by HealthPartners, the Forum has become a national space for real collaboration – where lived experience is centered and cross-sector leaders work side-by-side to strengthen healthcare decision-making.
2024: A powerful start grounded in lived experience and shared purpose
The inaugural Patient Engagement Forum (2024) set the tone for what this convening was always intended to be: practical, courageous, and human.
The energy in the room was reflected in attendee feedback captured – words that still resonate today:
• “It was both moving and informative. I was engaged the whole time – loved every session.”
• “An opportunity to connect with partners from patient orgs and industry and a ‘re-think’ on how we currently work with patient orgs.”
• “That there truly is a shared appetite to effect change/improve patient care across sectors.”
• “Energizing room with insightful conversation and panels and great educational presentation.”
These reflections weren’t just positive reviews – they were a signal: people are ready. Ready to invest in partnership, rethink old approaches, and build engagement models that have structure, accountability, and impact.
We co-created the definition of patient centricity. A building block to continue the work outside of the room.
2025: Moving from conversation to capability
If 2024 was about convening a community, 2025 was about strengthening the capability of that community.
The Forum returned in 2025 with an even sharper focus on the challenges shaping Canada’s healthcare landscape – especially the need to keep patient engagement credible, equitable, and embedded in decision-making as systems become more complex.
Across the 2025 program, the Forum leaned into the real questions facing leaders across sectors:
• How do we sustain engagement in a shifting policy environment?
• How do we ensure AI-enabled innovation supports equity rather than widening gaps?
• What does good look like in HTA, reimbursement processes, and system-level decision-making?
• How do we measure engagement – so we can improve it, fund it, and scale it?
• How do we build trust in data, evidence, and learning health systems while protecting privacy and ensuring inclusion?
The Forum’s commitment to actionable takeaways has become one of its defining strengths.
Looking ahead: Stay tuned for 2026
Two years in, the Patient Engagement Forum has grown into something more than an event: it’s becoming a national signal of where Canada is headed – toward engagement that is not only meaningful, but also rigorous, inclusive, and system-shaping.
As we close the chapter on 2024 and 2025, we want to thank everyone who contributed their insight, leadership, and lived experience. The momentum we’ve built together is real – and it’s only the beginning.
Stay tuned for details about the 2026 Patient Engagement Forum.