Patient Partner Initiative
Interested in Contributing to Health Education?
Sharing your healthcare experience is a meaningful way to strengthen health‑care education in Manitoba. At RRC Polytech, Patient Partners act as experts with lived experience, helping students understand what compassionate, people‑centred care truly looks and feels like.
Through the Patient Partner Initiative, we connect students with patients, caregivers, and support persons who are willing to share their perspectives. These interactions help learners appreciate the realities of diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and navigating the health‑care system from the patient or caregiver point of view.
Your insight helps prepare future health-care professionals to communicate clearly, show empathy, and partner effectively with the people they will one day care for.
Together, we’re building a more compassionate, informed, and patient‑centred future.
Make a Difference in Healthcare Education
Patient Partners bring knowledge gained from lived experience such as:
- Living with a condition or illness
- Receiving diagnostic testing or medical treatment
- Navigating acute, emergency, or long‑term care
- Supporting a family member or loved one through the health‑care system
By sharing these experiences with students, Patient Partners help learners develop essential interpersonal skills – including empathy, communication, and whole‑person thinking – that complement their technical training across all RRC Polytech Allied Health programs.
Opportunities for Involvement
Patient Partners choose the activities that match their comfort level, availability, and lived experience. Opportunities may include:
- Speaking on a panel or sharing your story with students
- Participating in committees or working groups
- Taking part in focus groups or interviews
- Providing feedback during classroom or simulated learning activities
- Co‑developing learning materials or case examples
- Supporting special events and learning activities
Before each opportunity, you will receive clear information about the topic, time commitment, format, and what to expect.
Benefits of Becoming a Patient Partner
By joining the Patient Partner Initiative, you can:
- Help shape future health-care professionals
- Share your voice in ways that directly enhance curriculum and student learning
- Contribute to a more empathetic and patient‑centred health‑care system
- Gain new knowledge and insights about health education
- Build connections with faculty, students, and other Patient Partners
- Become part of a growing and supportive community
Complimentary parking is provided for on‑campus sessions at the Notre Dame Campus (see map).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can become a Patient Partner?
Anyone with lived experience as a patient, caregiver, or support person can participate. You do not need medical knowledge or teaching experience – just a willingness to share your story in a supportive learning environment.
Which programs do Patient Partners support?
Patient Partners contribute to the learning of students enrolled in:
- Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography – Echocardiography
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography – Ultrasound
- Medical Laboratory Sciences
- Medical Radiologic Technology
- Paramedicine – Advanced Care
- Paramedicine – Primary Care Paramedic
This includes the shared course Seminars in Healthcare (MEDL‑3048), as well as Community Paramedicine 2 (PARA‑3015) for the Advanced Care Paramedic program, where Patient Partners help students explore people‑centred care and communication.
What can I expect if I sign up?
Once you express interest, a member of our team will connect with you to learn more about your experiences and areas of interest. From there:
- You choose the opportunities that feel right for you
- You receive detailed information about the session and your role
- Your boundaries, comfort, and wellbeing are prioritized
- There is no minimum time commitment
- You may opt in or out at any time
Activities may take place in a classroom, online, or in small‑group settings depending on the opportunity.
Do I need to prepare anything?
Most opportunities simply involve speaking about your lived experience in your own words. If preparation is required – such as reviewing questions or participating in a panel – guidance will be provided ahead of time.
Is there compensation?
Complimentary parking is provided for on‑campus activities.
Why should I get involved?
Your story can help shape compassionate, capable future healthcare providers.
Patient Partner Pre‑Screening Form
Note: RRC Polytech is collecting the information on this form to determine your interest and suitability for Patient Partner opportunities in our Allied Health programs. We will use your information to contact you about next steps (e.g., an optional detailed interests form, orientation, and scheduling). You may request correction or deletion of your information at any time by contacting patientpartner@rrc.ca.
This pre‑screening does not ask for medical details. Please do not include personal health information here. If you choose to participate, any future consent, media release, or sensitive details will be handled separately with additional information provided in advance.
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.