The Empowered Patient Conference
Saturday, November 7th, 2009

9:00am – 4:30pm (registration begins at 8:00am)

Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Nanaimo BC

101 Gordon Street, Nanaimo, B.C.

Would you like to play a meaningful role in your health care decisions?

Would you like to develop the knowledge and power to advocate for yourself within the health care system?

The Canadian Adverse Events Study reported that up to 23,750 deaths each year in Canadian acute care hospitals are attributed to medical error. The same study estimated that 7.5 percent of patients admitted to acute care hospitals become more ill, are injured, or die because of medical errors that are caused by health care delivery rather than the patient’s underlying medical condition.

The Empowered Patient Conference is a one day event where you will develop the skills and confidence to advocate for yourself. You will hear from a range of people who are helping patients to improve safety. And you will leave empowered – knowing what to say and what to do to get the health care you deserve.

Conference Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Julia Hallisy, Founder and author, The Empowered Patient, co-founder of The Empowered Patient Coalition
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Helen Haskell, Founder and President, Mothers Against Medical Error, co-founder of The Empowered Patient Coalition
Empowering Patients to be Part of their Healthcare Teams.
Julia Hallisy and Helen Haskell work to improve patient safety by arming medical patients with cutting edge information, facts and strategies to improve their medical experiences. In addition, they will be presenting the newest version of their "Empowered Patient Guide to Hospital Care for Patients and Families."

Alan Cassels, a drug policy researcher at the University of Victoria, co-author of Selling Sickness
Do you know what's living in your medicine cabinet? A primer on consumer drug safety.

Dr. Malcolm Maclure, UBC Professor, epidemiologist and British Columbia Chair in Patient Safety.

Kelly McQuillen, Director, Patients as Partners Program, BC Ministry of Health Services

Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director of the British Columbia Chiropractic Association / College of Chiropractors of British Columbia, co-author of Squandering Billions – Health Care in Canada
Squandering Billions: In Search of More Effective Health Spending.
What’s happening in health care systems, spending, practice and adverse events in Canada and the US. More funding or better outcomes?

Susan Precious, Vancouver lawyer specializing in health law
Disclosure of Adverse Events and Medical Errors.

Dr. Raymond Shred, Nanaimo Registered Psychologist who works with people affected by trauma
Psychological Aspects of Patient Safety.
Hearts and minds are intimately linked in medical treatment. Trust is an essential aspect of the patient-physician relationship. Trust is often given by a patient to their doctor implicitly but it can be broken. It is then difficult to restore. Understanding the patient's perspective will enhance patient safety.

Dr Keith White, MD, General Practitioner, Co-Chair of Education for Quality Improvement of Patient Care

Terence Young, MP Oakville, Ontario and author of Death by Prescription

This event is part of Canadian Patient Safety Week.
This is not a for-profit event.  All proceeds will be donated to patient safety initiatives.