Workingclosely withpatients andhealth authorities/agencies (such as, , and ),Sarahis a knowledge translation scientist and advocate for patient-centred care. Her researchfocuses on shared-decision making onbirth after caesarean, andsupports women and their care teams to make informed, shared decisions for mode of delivery.
What does being a Public Scholar mean to you?
To me, being a public scholar means engaging with knowledge users, particularly patients, in mutually beneficial, collaborative health services research that is action-oriented, relevant, and focused on impactful solutions.
In what ways do you think the PhD experience can be re-imagined with the Public Scholars Initiative?
I hope that this initiative encourages the university to offer PhD students time and funding to build relationships with research end users. I strongly believe this is the key to making a contribution to the public good. The Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, my department, already offers this flexibility and is home to many PhD students whose health research degrees have a participatory or social justice bent.
How do you envision connecting your PhD work with broader career possibilities?
I would prefer to pursue an academic path rather than one outside of academia, but I expect my journey will be non-traditional. Nurturing mutually beneficial relationships, networking, and just simply being friendly and open to new partners will be the key, I think, to building my career. After all, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
How does your research engage with the larger community and social partners?
I am working in partnership with an advisory group of key stakeholders at different levels of the health care system: patient advocates, nurse and physician 'champions',Fraser and Northern Health Authority managers and directors, and Perinatal Services BC. Together we are co-developing a patient decision aid to support shared decision-making for birth after caesarean, which will be tailored to the needs of different BC communities and stakeholder groups.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I began my doctoral studies out of a desire to produce research that supports women to make informed choices in pregnancy and birth.
Why did you choose to come to British Columbia and study at ?
My supervisors Jude Kornelsen and Patti Janssen are internationally renowned researchers in normal childbirth and I leaped at the opportunity to work with them.
We are co-developing a patient decision aid to support shared decision-making for birth after caesarean, which will be tailored to the needs of different BC communities and stakeholder groups.
