Patient-Oriented Research (POR) refers to studies that include patients as partners rather than as subjects. Patients are engaged throughout the research process, contributing to the formulation of research questions, study design, and dissemination of results. The reason for this newer approach to healthcare research is that patients bring valuable expertise through their lived experience, resulting in research that is more relevant, respectful, and practical. Decision-making is shared among patients, researchers, and other team members and addresses real-world challenges encountered in healthcare systems.
Out of the Storm has been involved in various POR activities as a way of contributing to the knowledge base about complex relational trauma (CRT) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). This ensures our voices are heard and acknowledged by researchers, clinicians and other stakeholders.
Complex-Trauma Research Aims to Improve Care - February 2025. Interview of Dr. Lori Herod & Dr. Colette Smart by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Jason D’Souza for the podcast “All Points West.”
Patient Oriented Research in Trauma Research - July 2025. In this video Dr. Lori Herod from Out of the Storm, an international website and forum for adult survivors of complex relational trauma, interviews Hiro Ito and Madeline Nealis from Island Health in BC, Canada, and Dr. Colette Smart from the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria in BC Canada about Patient Oriented Research (POR). POR is a collaborative approach in which patients serve as partners bringing their lived experience to bear on the research, ensuring that the focus is on priorities they identify, and ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and a more effective healthcare system.
From Patients to Partners, BC Island Health Support Unit, May 2025
Complex Relational Trauma & Complex PTSD: Closing the Gap in Healthcare for Patients - November 2025. Presentation by Dr/patient partner/founder of Out of the Storm Lori Herod and Dr. Colette Smart from the University of Victoria to 85 professionals associated with Island Health in British Columbia, Canada
Complex Relational Trauma: In the Voice of Survivors - Coming soon
We encourage CRT survivors to engage in POR and have included a number of links to articles, websites and videos about this approach to research. Make your voices heard!
Articles
Alessi & Khan (2022), (PDF) Toward a trauma-informed qualitative research approach: Guidelines for ensuring the safety and promoting the resilience of research participants. In this article the authors lay the groundwork for a trauma-informed qualitative approach and then outline five guidelines for conducting research.
Sunderji, N. et al. (2019). Why and how to use patient-oriented research to promote translational research | Request PDF. This article provides a general introduction to patient oriented research, its potential, and its value. It also suggests strategies for conducting patient-oriented research effectively, including a description of common barriers and how they can be dealt with.
Tscherning, S.C., Bekker, H.L., Vedelø, T.W. et al. (2021). How to engage patient partners in health service research: a scoping review protocol. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-021-00268-z. This paper presents a review of published literature on: a) how to engage patient partners in the research process; and b) what impact such engagement has on research outputs.
Websites
Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Patient Engagement - CIHR
International Association for Public Participation (International) - https://www.iap2.org/mpage/Home
NHS Public Involvement (UK) - https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/best-practice/public-involvement/
Person-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (USA) - https://www.pcori.org/
Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (Canada) - https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/41204.htm
Trauma Research Foundation - https://traumaresearchfoundation.org/
Videos
Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 6 Reasons to Engage Patients in Research. Patient Engagement - CIHR
Januwalla, A. (2023). Patient Oriented Research 101. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebHd2SVRzcs
