Since 2011, Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) has centered people and communities in health research, ensuring that their priorities drive research, and that evidence informs policy and practice. Recognizing the evolving needs of Canada’s health systems, CIHR and SPOR partners including members of the National Alliance of Provincial Health Research Organizations (NAPHRO), conducted a pan-Canadian engagement in 2023-24 to gather input on how SPOR should evolve to remain relevant and impactful.
​
This report, shaped by extensive engagement with researchers, people with lived experience, Indigenous leaders and community members, healthcare providers, and health system leaders presents recommendations to CIHR and other SPOR partners. Among those contributing to this process were NAPHRO members, who participated in roundtable discussions and shared insights from across Canada’s health research landscape. Additionally, a NAPHRO representative co-chaired the SPOR Governance and Strategy Refresh Steering Committee, helping to ensure that the recommendations reflect both national and regional perspectives.
​
Marking a milestone in SPOR’s evolution, this report builds on its strengths and reinforces the essential role of partners in advancing research that improves health experiences and outcomes. As we move forward, collaboration remains central. This report serves as an invitation for all SPOR partners to engage in shaping the future of people-centred and partnership-oriented research in Canada.