Community Engagement and Knowledge Translation Summit on Emotional Wellness and Navigation Services for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers 

March 2021 – April 2022

Objectives and Outcomes

The research objectives included: 

1. We are exploring evidence-informed continuity of care through the findings of experiences and challenges of cancer survivors for a better quality of life.
2. We organize a community engagement and knowledge translation summit on emotional wellness and navigation services for cancer survivors and caregivers. 

The research outcomes included: 

1. We are developing recommendations and policies on improving psychosocial and emotional wellness and navigation services for a better quality of life.
2. It understands the strengths and gaps of emotional wellness and navigation services among cancer survivors and caregivers.

Summary

The Community Engagement and Knowledge Translation Summit (CEKTS) disseminated the research findings related to emotional wellness and navigation services relevant to community stakeholders. The CEKTS synthesized the findings, evidence and recommendations of contextually informed continuity of care strategies and practices that supported knowledge translation. This activity helped promote research, training, and advice on emotional wellness and navigation services and strengthen the community stakeholder collaboration within the SSHR mandate. Addressing emotional wellness and navigation services for survivors and caregivers within an increased workforce diversity may increase equity, inclusiveness, satisfaction, and better quality of life. The CEKTS mobilized knowledge into practice through knowledge makers, community engagement and community partnership for cancer survivors and caregivers. Community awareness, education, and communication play a prominent role in seeking emotional wellness and navigation services for cancer survivors and caregivers. This research has influenced the continuity of care model for developing social, economic, and developmental policies towards promoting a better quality of life. We conducted a community engagement and knowledge summit through a series of partnership and collaborative summits. The CEKTS was designed to have a community stakeholder collaboration with survivors, caregivers, social workers, health care professionals, clinical partners and researchers with a primary care, collaborative and shared governance approach, lived experiences, and new knowledge related to emotional wellness and navigation services in local communities.  Community stakeholders were engaged in the findings, initiatives and processes towards developing contextually informed and relevant strategies for improving the quality of life of cancer survivors and caregivers. The results of this CEKTS helped to inform emotional wellness and navigation services in the context of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in Kamloops and the interior region of British Columbia.