This presentation offered insights into Sydney Wasserman’s PhD thesis work, highlighting the background that brought this project to where it is today and the proposed work for this implementation study. The study has two objectives: 1) To finalize the co-design of a novel stepped care rehabilitation intervention, guided by the ORBIT (Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials) intervention development framework, to increase access to interdisciplinary survivorship rehabilitation support for head and neck cancer patients (TEMPO-ORL: which stands for Tailored, wEb-based, self-Management and Physical activity program - Oto-Rhino-Laryngology), and 2) To evaluate the implementability (i.e., feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity) of TEMPO-ORL.

At the end of this presentation, participants were able to describe the typical microbiome in transwomen, learn about the basics of HPV in the genitals, and learn about a longitudinal clinical and scientific collaboration.

The Johns Hopkins Older Americans Independence Center studies the resilience-to-frailty spectrum: First, its major concepts and research contributions are outlined. Then, they described the recent Study of Physical Resilience and Aging, which implemented stimulus-response tests to characterize physiological fitness in older adults scheduled for major stressors (e.g., total knee replacement-TKR). The team reported work to develop physiologic resilience measures from these stimulus-response data and study their associations with functional resilience following TKR, which builds on a recently published pilot study. This study lays groundwork to better foster older adults’ resilience to stressors and, ultimately, overall health.

This presentation provided an introduction to surgical prehabilitation. Prehabilitation is a process from diagnosis to surgery, consisting of one or more preoperative interventions of exercise, nutrition, psychological strategies and respiratory training, that aims to enhance functional capacity and physiological reserve to allow patients to withstand surgical stressors, improve postoperative outcomes, and facilitate recovery.

This presentation provided an overview of the limited Canadian research documenting inequities in cancer outcomes and care for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and an introduction to the mechanisms that may contribute to these disparities. The presentation discussed opportunities to address gaps in knowledge and ableism in cancer research and care delivery.

This presentation described the epidemiology of pregnancy and substance use in the criminal legal system in the US and Canada, and highlighted ways that research can be used to mitigate health disparities related to perinatal incarceration for people with substance use disorders (SUD). The speaker provided examples of quantitative and qualitative research using exploratory and descriptive analysis, implementation science, and clinical trial design.

Different risk factors may have different effects on ovarian cancer risk depending on the specific life periods of exposure. This presentation shared the results of the speaker's research examining modifiable lifestyle factors, namely body fatness and physical activity, in relation to ovarian cancer risk with a formal consideration of exposure timing.

In this presentation, Dr. Baumbusch shared current research about family caregivers’ experiences of navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, and negotiating their role with healthcare providers. She then discussed strategies for caregiver support across clinical practice, programs and services, and public policy.

This talk presented an overview of Dr. Ahun's research program which uses quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the mechanisms through which parental mental health child development. It also addressed the evaluation of health promotion and curative interventions to improve mental health across the lifespan.

This presentation focused on Dr. Godard-Sebillotte’s research on dementia care and the results from health administrative databases analysis, highlighting possible underdiagnosis and inequities in care related to neighbourhood socioeconomic status. Dr. Godard-Sebillotte presented an ongoing research project on geriatricians notes transmission to primary care at the MUHC.

This presentation explored the pivotal role of implementation science in advancing health equity. It highlighted how implementation strategies can be tailored to promote the adoption of evidence-based interventions to reduce disparities, focusing on the intersection of systemic barriers and social determinants of health. The speaker also showcased case studies from real-world interventions addressing issues such as access to care, cultural competence, and equity-driven policy implementation.

Guided by intersectionality theory, this presentation covered how perceptions and experiences of anti-Black racism and racial discrimination in health care are complex, and how they may include intra-racial group differences. More specifically, Khandideh demonstrated why Black people cannot be considered or treated as a homogenous group in health care equity research by describing the within-group diversity of Canada’s Black population, and by explaining complex sociodemographic variations in perceptions and experiences of anti-Black racism.

This presentation addressed the issue of climate change as well as planetary boundaries from the perspective of healthcare institutions. The speaker emphasized the issue of plastic pollution, a recurring problem in healthcare facilities worldwide. Operating rooms generate more than a quarter of a hospital’s waste, and their energy consumption is 3 to 6 times that of other departments.

This talk explored the mechanisms through which obesity mirrors the effects of aging, emphasizing how excess weight accelerates the aging process. It also covered aging processes in childhood and adult onset obesity. Through this model, Dr. Santosa showed that obesity not only increases disease burden and affects life expectancy but also demonstrate the origins of these changes from the cell to the whole body. The mechanisms leading to comorbidities in both obesity and aging are strikingly similar, underscoring the need to rethink our understanding and treatment approaches to obesity and aging.

This presentation provided clinical staff, researchers, and students with foundational knowledge to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) considerations into their work and research, specifically through the lens of disability and intersectionality. This lecture was structured into three sections: 1) an introduction to considerations of EDI and intersectionality, 2) a practical example how these concepts are operationalized and analysed in global public health research, and 3) an interactive session for exchanges and discussions.

Fair complexion, UV exposure and history of sunburns as a child or adolescent remain critical risk factors for this disease. Hence, promoting sun protection in youth is vital to decrease individual risk of Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) in the adulthood. In the presentation, our speaker discussed CM incidence by postal code in Canada and how weather/environment impacts melanoma risk based on the data form the Canadian Cancer Registry and Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE). We evaluated changes in CM Mortality to Incidence Ratio (MIR) over time and discuss survey responses of over 70,000 Canadians detailing their sun protection practices over time. Dr. Litvinov also addressed the existing “sunscreen paradox” of why individuals who are using the most sunscreen have the highest incidence of skin cancers.

Night shift work is a prevalent work schedule in Canada and worldwide, particularly within the healthcare sector. Despite the classification of night shift work as a "probable carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2007, the relationship between night shift work and cancer risk remains complex. While epidemiologic studies suggest long-term exposure increases the risk of multiple cancer types, including breast and prostate, results across studies are not consistent. In addition, the mechanisms by which night shift work may increase cancer risk are not well understood, hampering the development of effective prevention strategies. In this talk, Dr. Jennifer Ritonja showcased the current epidemiologic evidence on the association between night shift work and cancer risk, with a particular focus on breast cancer risk. Possible biological mechanisms, risk mitigation strategies and areas for future research were also discussed.

TEMPO, which stands for a web-based, Tailored, sElf-Management PrOgram, was developed to support men with prostate cancer and their caregivers. Initially piloted through a randomized controlled trial, TEMPO demonstrated promising improvements in coping skills, communication, and physical activity levels among participants. This presentation outlined TEMPO’s initial development and pilot study findings. Speakers introduced the latest, large-scale sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) examining TEMPO’s efficacy and cost-effectiveness compared to usual care. This multi-stage, SMART seeks to evaluate the delivery of TEMPO using a stepped-care approach on anxiety and quality of life outcomes for patients and caregivers. Attendees gained insights into the methodology and anticipated impacts of this unique program, designed for self-directed use without healthcare professional involvement.

This conference examined the implications of the new Act respecting health and social services information, also known as " Bill 5," on research activities at the CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (COMTL). Speakers addressed the new legal framework for Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs, known as " EFVPs " in French) in the context of research, offering a pragmatic perspective on their implementation.

Clinicians often struggle with identifying psychosocial stress presenting as somatic complaints. It is even harder in a transcultural context. This presentation will outline a research project aiming at creating a teaching module for clinicians on that topic. It will present finding from the research as well as the next steps to create a module for clinicians and residents from the Department of Family Medicine.

This presentation will cover the following: Background and Introduction: pain management with use of nerve blocks post hip replacement. Study Methods and Design: four arm randomized control study. Results: local anesthetic infiltration leads to higher patient satisfaction, lower perceived pain and lower opiate consumption. Implications for Patient Care and Treatment: the surgical team should prioritize the use of local anesthetic infiltration over the use of Fascia Iliaca or PENG blocks in order to improve post-operative pain control and reduce costs.

This presentation will provide an overview of ongoing novel technological research with older adults. The implications this work has on next steps and clinical settings. Key steps to successfully engage older adults and caregivers as partners starting from the conception and design of research studies.

This presentation analyzes the participatory process of creating and implementing the EDI Action Plan at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) called “Together towards inclusion”. Two questions guide the reflection: 1) What opportunities did the consultations and implementation of the EDI Action Plan create for equity-seeking groups at the RI-MUHC to be effectively recognized, heard and influential? 2) What institutional changes have resulted from this participatory design and implementation process? Through self-reflective analysis of a concrete case, we present lessons learned about the role of participatory action in the organizational changes necessary to create an inclusive work experience in a health research institute.

Worldwide, there are over 300 million major surgeries performed each year. International ‘Enhanced Recovery From Surgery’ (ERAS) guidelines include patient-led behaviours to reduce post-surgical complications and length of hospital stay, such as early mobilisation, and rapid resumption of feeding and fluids, and breathing and physiotherapy exercises. However, patients need support to adhere to these guidelines, and a digital health intervention (DHI) may be an effective, cost-effective, and scalable solution. In response, we co-designed the RecoverEsupport intervention (with researchers, clinicians and patients). RecoverEsupport consists of a website and SMS/email prompts to encourage patient self-management using evidence-based behaviour change strategies such as information provision, goal setting, skills training, behavioural self-monitoring and feedback, and prompts and cues. This presentation describes the RecoverEsupport support research program, which includes patient surveys, qualitative studies and 2 randomised controlled trials (currently in progress) targeting colorectal and breast cancer patients. Both trials aim to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the RecoverEsupport intervention. If effective, the RecoverEsupport intervention could be rapidly scaled up and/or adapted for other surgical patient groups.

The aim of this presentation is to discuss the social determinants of the perceived health of precarious-status migrants without medical insurance. Between June 2016 and September 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of uninsured international migrants in Montreal. We met and interviewed 806 migrants in various spaces across the city, and through a snowball strategy and media advertisements. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic, socio-economic and psychosocial characteristics, social determinants, health needs and access to healthcare, as well as health perception. In our study, almost half of migrants without health insurance perceived their health negatively. Our study also suggests a high rate of unmet healthcare needs among migrants with precarious status, a situation that correlates with poor health perception. Measures need to be put in place to guarantee access to resources and social care and services for all migrants, with or without authorized status. At the end of this session, participants will: 1. Understand the notion of precarious migratory status. 2. Understand the links between migration status, medical insurance and health status. 3. Understand why migratory status can be seen as a determinant of health and thus contribute to social inequalities in health. Dr. Patrick Cloos is a professor at the School of Social Work and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal. His courses focus on health and the environment. Before joining the academic field, Dr. Cloos practiced emergency medicine in hospital and humanitarian settings for Médecins sans frontières in several regions of the world, notably in wartime. He was also Director of Public Health in Dominica (West Indies). His doctoral thesis was completed as part of an interdisciplinary program in the social sciences, and focused on public health and racism. Dr. Cloos is currently involved in several global health studies. In particular, he is conducting research into the links between climate change, migration and health in the Caribbean.

Working with older adults living with cognitive impairments is often difficult because of their communication difficulties. This can lead to behaviour that is difficult to understand. This has consequences for them as well as for their family care partners and caregiving staff. The relationship-centred approach can improve everyone's experience. The principles of this approach will be outlined, based on each person's unique needs, the reciprocity of their relationships, and their shared aspirations. Examples of the application of this approach in clinical settings will be presented. Using a relationship-centred approach when working with older adults living with cognitive impairments can help both caregiving staff and family care partners better understand the sometimes difficult or out-of-the-ordinary behaviour that these patients may show. At the end of this session, participants will: 1. Recognize the experience of older persons living with cognitive impairment. 2. Define the relationship-centred approach with older persons living with cognitive impairment. 3. Describe strategies for implementing this approach. Anne Bourbonnais, RN, PhD is a full professor in the Faculty of Nursing at the Université de Montréal, she is the Chairholder of the Canada Research Chair in Care for Older People and of the Research Chair in Nursing Care for Older People and their Families. She is also a researcher at the Research Centre of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM). She has expertise in the care of older people living with a major neurocognitive disorder. As a researcher, she is particularly interested in the behaviours of these older people and the development of interventions to promote their well-being, as well as that of their family care partners and caregiving staff, from a clinical and social perspective.

The DIRECT research group will present an overview of its comprehensive program of studies aiming to improve the management of depression for older adults. This interdisciplinary team of researchers, primary care physicians, mental health specialists, trained non-medical mental health workers, and community stakeholders has focused on understanding the complex needs of older adults with chronic physical conditions and depression. Recognizing the urgent need for mental health support in this population, it has collaboratively developed, evaluated and disseminated depression self-care interventions for use in different contexts. These models utilize brief, low-intensity psychological interventions that encourage self-care. The DIRECT team developed a depression self-care toolkit specifically for community-based patients. The toolkit, which can be modified according to the needs of specific target populations, acknowledges the interconnectedness of mental and physical health and addresses both aspects in a coordinated manner. The team has shown the feasibility of delivering supported depression self-care based on cognitive behavioral therapy principles using telephone or internet modalities. This model of guided mental health self-care is innovative, accessible, and employs low-cost self-care tools and trained lay guides who may be recruited from communities-at-large. Multiple randomized trials of this guidance model have been conducted by the team, demonstrating better mental health outcomes compared to both self-directed use of self-care tools as well as usual care. The team has also explored dyadic interventions involving family or friends in depression self-care to further enhance outcomes. The patient-centered approach promotes empowerment and active participation of older adults in decisions regarding their mental health and overall well-being. This model offers an option for older adults’ active management of mental health issues; and from work done using these tools on younger populations (e.g., depression in post-partum women and in cancer survivors), it appears that what is learned from using the tools may be applied preventively in later life. At the end of this session, participants will: 1. Describe the components in a supported mental-health self-care intervention. 2. Understand how supported mental-health self-care interventions can be adapted to various clinical populations. 3. Describe the outcomes of studies having evaluated supported mental-health self-care interventions. Dr. Mark Yaffe is a Tenured Professor of Family Medicine at McGill University, a Full Scientist at St. Mary's Research Centre and a practicing family physician at the St. Mary's Family Medicine Group. Dr. Yaffe maintains a large family practice and has received the Quebec College of Family Physicians’ Award of Excellence for his work as a clinician. He is also the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement in Family Medicine Research Award from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and an early inductee into the McGill Faculty of Medicine Honour Roll for teaching excellence. He led an interdisciplinary team that developed and validated the Elder Abuse Suspicion Index (EASI), a simple tool to assist family physicians in detecting elder abuse. The EASI has been translated into 17 languages and the World Health Organization has found it to be valid in a number of countries. Dr. Yaffe has also extensively studied family caregiving, depression and patient-self-care. Today, he speaks about the DIRECT program in which he has been involved for over 15 years. Dr. Yaffe and the DIRECT research team have recently been awarded a Seniors’ Mental Health Outstanding Care and Integrative Practice Award from the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health.

This presentation will provide participants with an overview of Indigenous world view and perspectives of health and wellness; a view of Canadian colonial history and impacts from an Indigenous lens with an aim to facilitate discussion on understanding the importance of cultural safety in building relationships with Indigenous patients. At the end of this session, participants will: 1. Reflect on their culturally safe, personal practices of patient engagement. 2. Understand that cultural safety is a personal journey beyond attending cultural information workshops. 3. Appreciate Indigenous patients’ perspectives of seeking respectful provincial health services. Alex M. McComber is Bear Clan Kanien'keha:ka, a husband, father, and grandfather from Kahnawake Territory, Quebec. He is a community health activist, researcher and consultant; areas of expertise include diabetes prevention, Indigenous community-based participatory research, health promotion, community mobilization and mentorship, personal and community empowerment, Indigenous health and wellness, and research ethics. Alex was invited to join the McGill Dept. of Family Medicine in 2016 as an Assistant Professor to support the creation of an Indigenous Program within the Dept. of Family Medicine that focuses on Indigenous teachings and respectful knowledge exchange, cultural safety education in health research and care, and patient participation in health research. He has developed and delivered a graduate level course and lectures on Indigenous health research, Indigenous world view and culture, understanding colonial history and health impacts, and understanding cultural safety. He involved with various community, regional and national research endeavors including the Indigenous Health Centre of Tiohtia:ke urban Indigenous clinic; the Indigenous Expertise & Indigenous Patient Partner Circle and the McGill University Data Vaolorisaton Axis (both with the Quebec SPOR Support Unit); the Tahatikonhsontóntie' Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR); the Teionkwaienawa:kon Quebec Indigenous Mentorship Network (QIMNP); and the Indigenous Youth Mentorship Project (IYMP).

This presentation will help participants understand some of the challanges and barriers faced by immigrant women with breast cancer when accessing care. Population level data from Ontario demonstrating differences in quality of care measures for immigrant and non-immigrant women with breast cancer will be presented. At the end of this session, participants will: 1. Understand the differences that exist in quality of care measures between immigrant and non-immigrant women in Ontario. 1. Understand the limitations of the data available on immigrant populations and avenues for future research. Dr. Elena Parvez is a Surgical Oncologist at the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Center in Hamilton, Ontario and Assistant Professor of Surgery at McMaster University. The focus of her clinical practice is in breast cancer surgery. She completed medical school and general surgery residency at McMaster University, and went on to complete a Surgical Oncology fellowship at McGill University. She attained a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, with training in both clinical trials and qualitative research. She is the recipient of the W.E. Noonan Fellowship early career award and the New Investigator Fund from Hamilton Health Sciences to support her research to build a better understanding of breast cancer care for immigrant women.

The BRILLIANT learning health care community focuses on patient-centered care through digital health and data feedback to focus care on individuals and their families' needs. Developed based on rehabilitation best practices, BRILLIANT integrates digital health tools for both patients and clinicians, aiming to enhance the quality of care for individuals with chronic conditions. Key features include a patient health portal, clinical information system, and various technologies to monitor and improve community-based rehabilitation. This system supports transitions from in-patient to community care, particularly for those with cardiovascular and neurological conditions. The program's multidisciplinary approach, involving healthcare, engineering, computer science, and other fields, emphasizes collaboration with patients, clinicians, and industry partners. This presentation will showcase BRILLIANT's role in setting new ways of approaching person centered care using data-driven, patient-centered rehabilitation care and its potential for broader application in healthcare. At the end of the session, participants will: 1. Understand the role and benefits of digital health in personalized healthcare, including clinical information systems and monitoring patient reported outcomes and mobility. 2. Discuss advancements in patient-centered care through multidisciplinary collaboration and data-driven approaches. Sara Ahmed, PT, PhD, is a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, and a senior scientist at the McGill University Health Center. Professor Ahmed conducts research aimed at improving health outcomes for individuals with chronic diseases. Her research addresses the implementation of digital health solutions and patient-centered outcomes across trajectories of care to inform clinical and health system decision-making. She leads a research program in person-centered digital health research and is the Scientific Director of the international BRILLIANT learning health community project. She is an advisor for the Implementation of Patient-Centered Outcomes for the Quebec Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR). Professor Ahmed is leading the development of a provincial Digital Health Network that aims to advance the training of the next generation of digital health scientists and innovators, and accelerate the development, implementation, and evaluation of patient and clinician digital health solutions.