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Health sciences students will explore the topic of patient empowerment with a panel of medical experts during the Barry Smith Symposium later this week. Adam Chruscicki and Steven Hanna (Meds’17) organized the second annual event, which is designed to engage future healthcare professionals early in their careers.

Members of the panel this year include former Canadian Medical Association president Chris Simpson (Cardiology), Brian Goldman, host of the CBC Radio show White Coat, Black Art, patient advocate Karen Nicole Smith, and Leslee Thompson, CEO and president of the Kingston General Hospital. The panel will be moderated by Andrew Pipe, division chief at the Ottawa Heart Institute.

“I applaud Adam and Steve for their leadership in engaging their peer future health professionals in considering challenging health policy issues. Their dedication to improving our health care system for the benefit of society is exemplary,” says Dr. Walker.

During the preparations for the symposium, Mr. Chruscicki and Mr. Hanna uncovered some interesting facts about patient engagement. Research shows that people who are active participants in their care have a better understanding of their conditions and are able to better access health-care resources.

“While patient empowerment should be a concept embraced by both patients and health-care providers, reality reveals a much more complex picture,” says Mr. Chruscicki. “This symposium will challenge students to examine that further.”

Some of the questions that will be asked at the symposium include.

• Currently, what are some examples of empowered patients?
• What are some barriers to empowering patients?
• How can caregivers help with this process?
• How can healthcare providers and patient advocates ensure equal access to care?
• How can a health-care system be built that respects both patients and providers?

“I think if we want clinicians to become more engaged at a policy level we must start early and get students engaged with the wider system. In this way we will instill a stronger desire and readiness to be involved in the next generation of practitioners,” says Mr. Hanna.

The Barry Smith Symposium, which is named after former Queen’s Dean of Medicine Barry Smith, is being held Friday, September 11 starting at 4:30 pm in the New Medical Building. The symposium is open to the public.