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Patient Education Network
Princess Margaret Hospital
Directors' Message
Director of Patient Education, Princess Margaret Hospital
Audrey Jusko Friedman RT(T) BA MSW
A diagnosis of cancer marks the beginning of a challenging journey for cancer patients and their families. By receiving comprehensive cancer information at all stages of this journey along the continuum of care, patients are more likely to become active partners in decision making and consequently be more satisfied with their health care, have better health outcomes, and experience less anxiety and shorter hospital stays.
The Patient Education Network at Princess Margaret Hospital accomplishes these desirable outcomes. Since the program’s inception in 1999, many exciting and innovative strategies have been implemented to support our patients and their families. Without the commitment of our Patient Education Network staff, the input of the Patient Education Advisory Committee and the commitment of the Patient Education Site Team Representatives, the current level of success could not have been realized.
It is our intention to apply the results of ongoing patient education research and evaluation to continuously improve the overall program. Today, the scholarly component of our Patient Education Network is gaining us national and international recognition for excellence using traditional academic outcome measures such as grant support, publication and presentation records. Our education team has participated in regional, national and international conferences and meetings to share their expertise, and in turn have hosted colleagues from several numerous cancer centres.
Volunteers are an integral part of our thriving Patient Education Network, and they make a difference each day in the lives of our patients and their families. Our volunteers offer visitors and users access to educational resources in a manner that demonstrates respect, compassion, and empathy.
For all those who have enabled the Patient Education Network to grow and flourish, we offer our thanks.
Director of Oncology Education, Princess Margaret Hospital
Pamela Catton, MD, MHPEd, FRCPC
Health care professionals at Princess Margaret Hospital are dedicated to improving the care of patients with cancer through education and research. Our Cancer Education program is not only concerned with the training of health care professionals, but has also championed the development of a comprehensive Patient Education Network, under the enthusiastic and able leadership of Audrey Jusko Friedman.
The Patient Education Network is based on a model of talent-sharing, teamwork, and collaboration among health care providers, industry development partners such as jack digital productions inc. and researchers at the University of Toronto / University Health Network’s Centres for Research in Education and Global e-Health Innovation.
I believe that we have accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time. I credit the success of this program to the conviction, dedication, and hard work of a host of people who have committed their efforts to improving patient education at Princess Margaret Hospital. My congratulations and I urge you all to keep up the good work!
