Call for participants:

Patient research partner training programs

Many people living with rheumatic diseases are advisors or patient partners in research. In 2022, we tested out a new approach to better equip patient partners to be members of research teams by recruiting and training a first cohort of patient partners in research. Building on our efforts, we are now accepting applications for two training programs. Learn more by visiting our website and apply by September 30th! 

What have we been up to?

CAPA Letter to Provinces about Masking in Healthcare – CAPA wrote a letter to provincial ministers of health about the recent policy change that removed the requirement for masking at healthcare facilities across Canada. We asked them to reinstate the need to wear masks in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Only a couple of provinces have responded with no commitment to change this policy.

The Life Hacks and Gadget Project – We are fortunate to have occupational therapy (OT) student from McMaster university, Bella Cairns, during her final year practicum as she leads a project this summer. She is working to understand the lived experience of those living with arthritis across the lifespan and identify life hacks or tips to that work for you. Bella wrote a blog post about her work with us and her path to become an OT. 

Use and misuse of research: Canada’s response to Covid-19 and its health inequalities – CAPA president, Linda Wilhelm was part of a panel of experts that published a series of articles in the BMJ medical journal on Canada’s pandemic response. In a CTV piece covering the BMJ series, Wilhelm talks about how the pandemic impacted those living with inflammatory arthritis and other chronic illnesses.

Get Involved!

#CoffeeForCAPA is back! We’re back in September to launch our Coffee for CAPA fundraiser where we we’ve partnered with Sparkplug to offer a range of specialized coffee blends and chocolate-covered coffee beans. We are looking for your feedback on what to know call our coffees – email us at contact@arthritispatient.ca to share your suggestions.

Oral Health and Rheumatic Disease Survey – “The ‘Tooth’ About Oral Healthcare in Rheumatic Disease: A Multidisciplinary Approach” aims to explore the crucial oral health implications of rheumatic diseases and their treatments. Share your experience with oral healthcare and rheumatic disease by filling out a Patient Survey or a Healthcare Professional Survey.

Stay Informed

My Info Library Launch – My Info Library has resources to help you learn more about arthritis and chronic disease, manage pain, find financial and housing support, and more. This includes organizations with helpful resources, such as CAPA.

Empowering Patients – What Do All These Health-Related Tests Mean? – Health Insight‘s Empowering Aging Canadians campaign featured Know Your Numbers – a resource that was developed by CAPA and Dragon Claw to help patients with autoimmune conditions better understand the various tests we are required to do and track our health trends.

The First Prior Authorization Resource for Patient Support Programs – Many patient support programs help patients who have prescriptions for therapies and medications that require prior authorization. Patients often have questions about the process and Simplify Prior Authorizations is a resource that can help them navigate the process.