SPARK Reach and Adoption Survey

This survey will help us better understand the reach and adoption of the SPARK Tool across Canada. The SPARK Tool is a 17 (plus two optional) item questionnaire about patient’s demographics and social needs for use in primary care, and serves as a gold standard across Canada. The SPARK Tool includes questions about demographic information (e.g., preferred language, immigration status, Indigenous identity, race, disability status, gender identity, and sexual orientation; optional questions include ethnicity and religion) and social needs (e.g., education, income, medication access, housing status, social isolation, transportation, cost of utilities, and precarious employment).

This survey should take a total of approximately 10-20 minutes to complete and consists of three parts:

1. Participant information
2. Spark Scale-Up Reach and Adoption Survey
3. Contact details for follow-up

After each part, you will be automatically be redirected to the next part.

Please coordinate within your team to gather responses from the appropriate staff and submit one survey response per clinic.

Findings will inform the development of recommendations to support demographic and social needs collection and use across Canada. This study was approved by the Unity Health Toronto Research Ethics Board [REB #24-094]. Information will be collated by staff at Upstream Lab. Responses will remain securely stored and only accessed by those involved in this research project.

Before completing this survey, please review the Information Letter and Consent for Survey. If you have any questions about the consent information or survey, please contact Upstream Lab (upstreamlab@unityhealth.to).

Consent Information

The research study has been explained to me, and any questions I had have been answered to my satisfaction. I have the right not to participate and the right to withdraw without affecting my professional, academic standing or care provided to me at St. Michael’s Hospital. As well, the potential risks and benefits of participating in this research study have been explained to me.

I have not waived my legal rights nor released the investigators, sponsors, or involved institutions from their legal and professional responsibilities. I know that I may ask now, or in the future, any questions I have about the study. I have been told that records relating to me and my care will be kept confidential and that no information will be disclosed without my permission unless required by law. I have been given sufficient time to read the above information.

By completing and submitting this survey, your free and informed consent is implied and indicates that you understand the above statement and conditions of participation in this study.