The 2025 Annual CQuIPS Symposium is proud to be a Patients Included designated conference. This designation reflects our commitment to meaningfully integrate patients and families into every stage of the event, from planning and theme development, to speaker selection and session design. Patients and families are not only welcomed as participants, but many are actively supported through full scholarships that cover registration and travel expenses. The organizing team also aims to reduce barriers to participation and has taken steps to meet the accessibly needs of all attendees.

To qualify for the Patients Included designation, conferences must meet all of the charter’s clauses. You can view the full list of requirements here: https://patientsincluded.org/conferences/

1.)    What does it mean when a conference has Patients Included designation?

Patients Included status signifies a strong commitment to incorporating the perspectives of patients and individuals with lived experience throughout all aspects of conference planning, design and delivery. At the CQuIPS Symposium, patient partners are centrally involved in shaping the event and are provided with equitable and accessible opportunities to participate fully.

2.)    How is this status achieved?

This status is achieved by meeting a 5 -point criteria designed to ensure that patient experiences are incorporated into event planning and their participation is meaningfully supported.

3.)    What does this mean for the conference experience?

A Patients Included event actively works to create an inclusive space that values and reflects diverse perspectives. At the CQuIPS Symposium, this means fostering a community where patients, families, individuals with lived experience and members of the public come together to learn, share and connect. The symposium is designed to support meaningful participation in a welcoming environment, with efforts made to reduce barriers and meet accessibility needs.

4.)    How has CQuIPS met these requirements?

The planning of the CQuIPS Symposium is largely led by a core committee made up of QIPS professionals and three patient partners who have strong connections to our partner organizations. These patient partners play a central role in shaping the symposium by participating in planning meetings and contributing asynchronously to key decisions, including session focus, accessibility considerations, and strategies to ensure the event meaningfully includes patients and families. To support patient and family attendance at the Symposium, CQuIPS offers scholarships that cover registration and transportation costs. Accessibility needs are considered based on all participant’s, needs, with efforts made to reduce barriers and foster a welcoming experience for all.

We look forward to connecting with our community on November 13!