In 2014, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) called patient representatives and patient engagement experts to participate in the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Patient Engagement Consultation Workshop (on January 9th) for developing the Patient Engagement (PE) Framework [
10]. In this framework, POR is defined as ‘a continuum of research that engages patients as partners, focusses on patient-identified priorities and improves patient outcomes. This research, conducted by multidisciplinary teams in partnership with relevant stakeholders, aims to apply the knowledge generated to improve healthcare systems and practices’; while PE was defined as ‘Meaningful and active collaboration in governance, priority setting, conducting research and knowledge translation. Depending on the context, patient-oriented research may also engage people who bring the collective voice of specific, affected communities’ [
10]. The PE Framework is designed to outline key opportunities for action; to establish key concepts, principles and areas for patient engagement to be adopted; and to set the stage for worthwhile collaborations in the identification of health research priorities and in the design and conduct of research projects. POR is ultimately aimed at achieving benefits that matter to patients such as improved health and access to the healthcare system, the right treatment at the right time, being an active and informed partner in healthcare, and quality of life that is tied to patient-oriented outcomes [
10]. SPOR partners are ‘key stakeholders collaborating in POR such as the SUPPORT Unit jurisdictional leads for each province and territory, patients, researchers, policy makers, decision-makers, health organizations, provincial/territorial health authorities, academic institutions, charities and the pharmaceutical sector.’ [
10]. Overall, POR can be summarized with the slogans ‘nothing about me without me’ and ‘one size does not fit all’ [
11]. Additionally, POR can be understood as a new way for patients, health care providers, and health decision-makers to engage with researchers and research teams for a comprehensive understanding of patient needs and research priorities, and needs to adapt practice environments to take up research findings.