Patient-oriented research: An essential driver of learning health system capacity development.

Abstract

Canada's health system faces a lag in implementing high-quality evidence and research-driven innovation into service delivery, while demonstrating accountability and benefit to the public. To address these challenges, Patient-Oriented Research (POR) builds teams that engage researchers, healthcare providers, decision-makers, and most importantly, patients (people with lived and living experience) in the process of generating and applying evidence to inform health services and decision-making. A Learning Health System (LHS) systematically integrates external evidence with internal data and experience and puts that knowledge into practice in a continuous cycle. Using a POR/LHS example from a BC health authority, we describe nine enablers required to support LHS capacity development. The LHS case study, Walk With Me, addresses a health system high-priority topic: the toxic drug crisis. Understanding the value of LHSs, along with the enablers required to support and implement them, will empower health leaders to champion and orchestrate positive change.