Health systems are increasingly facing challenges in developing services that are sustainable, of high value, evidence-based, and responsive to patient needs. Engaging patients as partners in research provides opportunities for patients to contribute lived experiences and to assist in identifying patient needs, priorities, and values for a more responsive and effective healthcare system. We share the example of a doctoral study that uses a multi-method approach to examine the use of emergency health services (EHS) by stroke survivors across northern British Columbia. We focus on the qualitative component, which uses semi-structured interviews to provide context and insight into the decision-making processes of patients and their caregivers. First, we explore the collaborative decision-making and priority setting activities that this process has encompassed. Second, we outline the lessons learned through a partnership aimed at exploring the decision-making process for seeking emergency care for stroke in a northern health region.  Finally, we discuss the insights into the healthcare system, health policy, and academic environments that resulted, and share some keys for success. Early and sustained efforts to engage patients in a meaningful way have provided a solid foundation for ongoing collaboration to respond to critical clinical and health service issues. This has further cemented a strong commitment to addressing health system priorities around stroke care and fostered the creation of much-needed capacity in this underserved area.

Patients as partners for collaborative healthcare improvement: A trainee perspective on the lessons learned through the experience of engaging patients throughout the research continuum