Patient Experiences

It has been demonstrated that the voice of the patient and the public can be influential in healthcare research and that including Patient Representatives strengthens accountability and transparency in such endeavors. Patient Representatives can help to steer research in directions that answer questions that are important to patients and the public. This section contains 3CTN Patient Representatives’ perspectives about the importance of patient participation in clinical trials, opportunities available for patient and public involvement (PPI) within 3CTN community, and the role 3CTN plays in promoting PPI.

  • Participating in Clinical Trials
  • Creating Opportunities for PPI
  • Highlighting the PPI role within 3CTN

Participating in Clinical Trials

Scientific discoveries that offer possible new treatments for cancer and other diseases are studied in clinical trials. Clinical trials are essential for advancing scientific research and discoveries made through these trials can result in better treatments for patients. Clinical trials also provide an opportunity for many cancer patients to have a more active role in their health care.

Gretta Hutton,
3CTN Patient Representative Advisory Council
Gretta talks about her participation in cancer clinical trial.

Alison Stoneman,
3CTN Patient Representative Advisory Council
Alison talks about the importance of patient participation in clinical trials.

Jill Hamer-Wilson,
3CTN Patient Representative Community of Practice
Jill talks about the importance of patient participation in clinical trials

Vinesha Ramasamy,
AYA CAN – Canadian Cancer Advocacy Board Member
Vinesha talks about the importance of patient participation in clinical trials.

Creating Opportunities for PPI

Patient Representatives’ involvement improves outcomes for all patients and 3CTN provides a variety of opportunities for engagement. Whether being actively engaged in Network-wide projects, governance committees, priority settings, or communicating value of clinical trials across the Network, Patient Representatives bring unique perspectives to ensure that the research being conducted is relevant and valuable to patients. Patient Representatives also collaborate within Network cancer centres’ research teams and with patients from other cancer centres to share the results and influence decision makers in the institutional as well as community settings.

Amy Clark,
3CTN Patient Representative Advisory Council
Fred talks about surviving cancer and how he gives back by being part of 3CTN.

Judy Needham,
3CTN Patient Representative Advisory Council
Judy talks about her cancer journey

Kathy Smith,
3CTN Patient Representative Community of Practice
Kathy talks about enhancing patient and public involvement opportunities

Highlighting the PPI role in 3CTN

Through its activities, 3CTN is building a culture of PPI and increasing uptake at Canadian cancer centres. Including patient and public representatives in the development and review of clinical trial priorities, research activities, patient educational materials and patient programs at Network sites can lead to the improvement of clinical trial awareness, operation, and recruitment.

Judy Needham,
3CTN Patient Representative Advisory Council
Judy talks about being a Patient Representative for 3CTN and what it means for her.