Creating a Learning Health and Social System (LHSS) in Newfoundland and Labrador will embed knowledge generation into daily health and community practice to produce continual improvements in healthcare and social services.

In 2022, Health Accord NL’s report: Our Province. Our Health. Our Future. A 10-Year Health Transformation: The Blueprint  identified the Learning Health and Social System (LHSS) as a key pathway to facilitate health and healthcare improvements in Newfoundland and Labrador.  In March, 2023, the team at NLCAHR undertook intensive consultations with provincial health system leaders, university partners, patients, and caregivers who identified that the LHSS as a top priority for health system transformation in the province. 

Following from these consultations, the Research Exchange Group on the Learning Health and Social System is envisioned as a forum where people can can share knowledge about creating the LHSS, undertake research in this area, and learn about the perspectives of others:  patients, caregivers, community organizations, university partners from across disciplines, health system partners, and participants working in government.  Ultimately, this group will exchange research and practice knowledge; share lived experience and community knowledge; and build capacity for collaboration and partnerships that will support a Learning Health and Social System in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Group Conveners:

• Dr. Brendan Barrett, Professor of Medicine (Nephrology), Memorial University, Chief Scientific Officer, NL SUPPORT and Clinical Led, Quality of Care NL
• Dr. Robert Wilson, Associate Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, Manager of Quality of Care NL, Scientific Lead NL SUPPORT

Meetings & Events

2024

March 11, 2024 | Strategic Health Networks | Drawing on examples from the province of Alberta, Dr. Robert Wilson and Dr. Brendan Barrett discuss the goals and structure of Strategic Health Networks and look at ways to integrate operations, innovation, research and evaluation under a Strategic Health Network model to promote a Learning Health and Social System. Presenters: Dr. Brendan Barrett is a Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) at Memorial University, is the Chief Scientific Officer at NL SUPPORT and the Clinical Lead of Quality of Care NL  Dr. Robert Wilson is an Associate Researcher in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University, the Manager of Quality of Care NL, and the Scientific Lead at NL SUPPORT.

January 9, 2024 | Learning Cycles | Dr. Brendan Barrett and Dr. Robert Wilson presented a series of Real World Examples of Learning Cycles in the LHSS.

2023

 December 4, 2023 | Defining the LHSS and a discussion about health literacy | Facilitated conversation with the group to gain a grounded understanding of the key principles for the LHSS and to talk about improving health literacy in NL.

• Meeting Notes Defining the LHSS and Health Literacy December 2024

 October 24, 2023  |  Initial Planning Meeting facilitated by Dr. Brendan Barrett and Dr. Robert Wilson

• LHSS Exchange First Meeting Notes Oct 24 2023