The Waypoint Research Institute (WRI) today hosted Café Scientifique, a knowledge-sharing event that explored ways of meaningfully engaging forensic patients as partners in research.


Patient-oriented research is an inclusive approach that aims to involve patients in the research process through priority setting, conducting research, and bringing research findings into clinical practice and health policy. In the context of forensic mental health care, it holds the potential to improve hospital processes and program delivery, enhance patient safety and dignity, and improve care experiences.
“By bringing together front-line staff, researchers, health leaders and patients, this event fostered collaborative discussion and learning,” said Dr. Christopher Canning, Director, Research and Academics, at the WRI. “Our hope is to scale and spread these learnings beyond Waypoint to other forensic mental health care settings.”


The hybrid event welcomed Waypoint staff and members of the public, as well as a few patients from the hospital’s high-secure forensic programs. With a focus on collaboration, inclusivity and engagement, attendees included a wide range of backgrounds and roles, reflecting the breadth of expertise and experience essential to exploring patient-centred research approaches in forensic settings.


WRI staff, members of the Patient/Client and Family Council, and researchers from the University of Saskatchewan shared research findings, engaged in group discussion, and laid out the next steps for continuing the work of advancing patient-oriented research.


Among the attendees were President and CEO Dr. Nadiya Sunderji, along with several department directors and staff, including clinical managers and staff from Vocational Services, Allied Health, Nursing and the Forensic Security Office, and representatives of the University of Saskatchewan.


“Meaningful engagement with patients, clients, families and care partners lies at the heart of our work,” said Dr. Sunderji. “Their insights are vital to shaping both care delivery and the science that informs it, which is why patient-oriented research is such an important strategic priority at Waypoint.”
External attendees included researchers, scientists and medical doctors from institutions like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.


Driven by Waypoint core values of caring, respect, innovation and accountability, the WRI contributes to the field of mental health by:
• providing strategic leadership on research and academic issues;
• facilitating innovative science and high-quality applied research that align with Waypoint priorities;
• fostering partnerships and research collaborations across Ontario, in Canada and internationally;
• prioritizing knowledge translation that improves mental health and addiction care;
• offering mentorship opportunities for students and trainees in a unique facility.


This event was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.