Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of illness and death worldwide, yet many people do not receive the support they need to manage their condition effectively. My research focuses on improving how health information is delivered to patients, particularly those with cardiovascular disease, so they can better understand their condition and take an active role in their care. A key area of my work is cardiac rehabilitation—programs that support recovery and prevention through education, exercise, and lifestyle change. I develop and evaluate educational interventions, including digital platforms such as Cardiac College™, to make information more accessible, engaging, and tailored to diverse populations. I also focus on addressing gaps in care for women, who often experience differences in symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Through initiatives such as the WE-CARE study, I work with patients and healthcare providers to design and test education that reflects women's specific needs and lived experiences. Overall, my goal is to ensure that high-quality, evidence-based patient education is accessible globally, improves health outcomes, and supports more equitable healthcare systems.
Helping Chinese-Speaking Patients Learn About Heart Disease and Make Healthier Choices Through Translated Education Materials
Study Status: active
Institute: KITE Research Institute
Study Purpose: This study explored what informal caregivers want and need to know to best support their loved ones with heart disease while in cardiac rehabilitation.
Background: Heart disease is a major health concern worldwide, and Chinese-speaking immigrants in Canada often face challenges due to language barriers, which can make it harder to access health information. By offering education in their preferred language, this study aims to help patients gain the knowledge and confidence they need to take control of their heart health.
Study Methods: We are recruiting 168 Chinese-speaking adults who are attending heart health programs in Toronto. Participants will take part in 24 weekly education sessions. Some sessions are delivered in group classes, while others are self-paced online lessons with support from healthcare providers. The program also includes videos, guides, and interactive activities to make the learning engaging and practical.
The study will assess whether participants improve their understanding of heart disease, increase their physical activity, eat more fruits and vegetables, and practice better self-care. We will also gather information on how satisfied participants are with the education materials and how helpful they found the program.
The results of this study will help healthcare providers understand how to best support Chinese-speaking patients and may guide the development of similar education programs for other communities. Ultimately, the goal is to show that providing heart health education in a patient’s own language can improve understanding, encourage healthier behaviors, and support better long-term heart health.
Health Conditions:
Heart disease and disorders
Making the Mediterranean Diet Work in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Study Status: active
Institute: KITE Research Institute
Study Purpose: Cultural food preferences, availability of ingredients, and costs can make it hard to stick to the Mediterranean Diet. Our study, called MAP-CR (Mediterranean Diet Adaptation Priorities for Cardiac Rehabilitation), aims to find the most important ways to adapt the Mediterranean Diet for people attending Cardiac Rehabilitation programs in diverse communities. However, following the Mediterranean Diet can be challenging for people living outside the Mediterranean region.
Background: To do this, we are working with two groups:
1. Nutritionists from Cardiac Rehabilitation programs across Canada to share their knowledge about healthy eating and the challenges of adapting the Mediterranean Diet.
2. Patients in Cardiac Rehabilitation programs to share their experiences, preferences, and challenges when trying to follow a healthy diet.
We will combine what we learn from nutritionists and patients using a structured process called the Delphi method. This process helps experts and patients work together to decide which ideas are most important.
Health Conditions:
Heart disease and disorders
Understanding the Educational Needs of Informal Caregivers in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Study Status: completed
Institute: KITE Research Institute
Study Purpose: This study explored what informal caregivers want and need to know to best support their loved ones with heart disease while in cardiac rehabilitation.
Background: Informal caregivers - family members or friends who provide unpaid support - play an important role in helping people recover from heart conditions during cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Despite their vital contributions, caregivers often do not receive the information or support they need to feel confident and capable in their role.
Study Methods: We surveyed 86 caregivers and then interviewed 16 of them in depth. Most caregivers had not received formal training in caregiving, and many found it difficult to access reliable information about heart disease and rehabilitation. Caregivers wanted practical guidance on managing medications, supporting lifestyle changes, helping with safe exercise, and knowing when to seek medical help. They also emphasized the importance of emotional support, stress management, and connecting with others in similar caregiving situations.
Key Findings: From these findings, we created the H.E.L.P. framework, highlighting four key areas of support:
* Helpful Resources: Access to practical tools and professional guidance.
* Empowerment: Knowledge and confidence to provide safe, effective care.
* Lived Experience Network: Opportunities to connect with other caregivers for advice and support.
* Psychological Support: Strategies for managing stress and maintaining well-being.
Our results show that educational programs for informal caregivers should be flexible, practical, and include both emotional and peer support. Supporting caregivers in these ways can improve their own well-being while helping patients recover more successfully in cardiac rehabilitation.
Health Conditions:
Heart disease and disorders
Women’s Voices in Cardiac Rehab: Shaping Heart Health Education
Study Status: completed
Institute: KITE Research Institute
Study Purpose: This study worked with women who have personal experience with heart disease to improve Cardiac Rehabilitation educational resources.
Background: Women are less likely than men to take part in cardiac rehabilitation (CR), partly because educational materials often do not address their specific needs.
Study Methods: * Eleven women with heart disease took part in five online workshops over several months.
* The workshops were guided by trained facilitators, including a woman with heart disease who led discussions.
* During the workshops, women shared their experiences, gave feedback on existing materials, and suggested ways to make them easier to understand and more useful.
* The research team used structured tools to track attendance, participation, and satisfaction, and summarized key points after each session.
* Women’s feedback was collected and organized to identify the most important changes for improving the materials.
Key Findings: 1. Make materials easier to access and understand - simplify language, improve website navigation, and offer written, audio, and visual options.
2. Use storytelling: share personal experiences to motivate and connect with others.
3. Include diverse perspectives: represent women from different backgrounds and life situations.
4. Offer multiple formats: provide videos, infographics, and interactive content alongside written materials.
5. Reach more women: share materials through doctors, community groups, and online platforms.
Health Conditions:
Heart disease and disorders, Rehabilitation Services
Managing Stroke Risk Through SPLENDOR – A Stroke Prevention Lifestyle Medicine Programmed Education and Coaching Group Visit Model of Care
Study Status: active
Institute: Krembil Research Institute
Study Purpose: Healthcare in Canada mostly focuses on the treatment of diseases, instead of prevention. This often does not meet the complex needs of stroke survivors, where there are large gaps in the education and supports available. The SPLENDOR care model aims to move from a disease focused model of care to a prevention focused model for stroke survivors. SPLENDOR aims to lower stroke patients' risk of having another stroke by managing high blood pressure. It uses lifestyle medicine, shared medical appointments, and goal setting to support healthy habits and reduce the risk of another stroke from happening.
Background: After someone has a stroke, they are more likely to have another in the future.
A healthy lifestyle is an impactful way to prevent strokes. It has the potential to prevent up to 90% of strokes. A major risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure, which causes up to 60% of all strokes. Blood pressure can be controlled using lifestyle medicine. Lifestyle medicine includes:
* physical activity
* nutrition
* Sleep
* Stress
* social connection
* Avoiding risky substances, such as alcohol
Study Methods: The SPLENDOR Care Model combines lifestyle medicine, group medical visits, and goal setting.
It is an 8-week hybrid (online and in-person) program where stroke survivors come together to learn how to reduce their risk of having another stroke by improving blood pressure and building healthy habits.
Each week, a different topic is explored (see below):
* Week 1: Introduction
* Week 2: Physical Activity & Motivation
* Week 3: Nutrition & Investigations
* Week 4: Sleep & Attitude
* Week 5: Stress & Variety
* Week 6: Time Outs & Social Connection
* Week 7: Purpose & Energy
* Week 8: Conclusion
The team continuously implements participant feedback to improve program processes. Both qualitative and quantitative data are collected in this study. Data will be interpreted and used to understand how a program based on lifestyle medicine with shared medical appointments can help stroke survivors improve their blood pressure and lower their risk of having another stroke.
Health Conditions:
Stroke
External Links:
Building a Strong Foundation for Brain Health Research Through a Standing Patient Advisory Group at the Jay and Sari Sonshine Centre (JSSC-PAG)
Study Status: active
Institute: Krembil Research Institute
Study Purpose: Current research practices oftentimes do not include people with lived experience (PLEX) in the planning, doing, or sharing. In stroke and brain health research, this can result in work that is less impactful and relevant for the stroke community. More research is needed that has the meaningful engagement of PLEX. This will improve the quality of research and brain health promotion programs created for stroke survivors.
Background: In Canada and all over the world, stroke is a major health issue with long-lasting effects. It impacts patients, families, and health systems. Currently, PLEX are not actively involved in research like they should be. This results in less relevant programming that excludes the patient voice. The JSSC’s goal is to innovate how patients are engaged within research teams.
Study Methods: The JSSC meaningfully engages PLEX through a standing patient advisory group (the JSSC-PAG). This is different than the typical one-time advisory role that PLEX often play in research. The JSSC-PAG is made up of 8-10 PLEX partners, with lived/living experience of stroke. PAG members are engaged as research team members, participating across multiple JSSC projects. JSSC-PAG members are supported and trained with resources from the UHN PiPER (Pride in Patient Engagement in Research) team. Members are financially compensated for their time and expertise. Engagement activities include determining research needs, giving their opinion on study design, reviewing grant applications, and helping to co-design written materials. The JSSC -PAG focuses on communication, relationships, and sustainability. PLEX engagement is evaluated formally through the PEIRS-22 and PPEET surveys, and informally through continuous reflection and feedback. Findings from engaging PLEX in the JSSC-PAG will be shared inside and outside of UHN. Our hope is to exemplify an innovative model for engaging PLEX as part of the research team.
Health Conditions:
Stroke
To read more, please visit:
https://plainlanguagesummary.uhnresearch.ca/