Principal Investigator
PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Social Medicine, University of British Columbia
Research Interests
health care improvement; health innovation; remote communities; rural communities; virtual careDr. Femke Hoekstra completed her PhD at the University of Groningen, in the Netherlands, in the areas of implementation science, rehabilitation, and physical activity promotion. In January 2024, she joined UBC’s Department of Medicine as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Social Medicine, focusing on Implementation Science. Dr. Hoekstra leads a research program dedicated to improving health services and care for equity-deserving groups in rural, remote, and other isolated communities. Her work focuses on studying how health innovations, such as virtual care, can be successfully implemented in real-world settings.
“My passion is improving health care access and experiences for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) living in rural and remote areas. The IKT Guiding Principles for conducting and disseminating SCI research in partnership guide our work to ensure that the research we do is relevant and useful for those who can benefit from it. I truly believe meaningful change happens when we work together.”
Learn more about Dr. Hoekstra’s research on the Implementation Science and Isolated Communities (ISIC) Lab website
Recent publications
- Simmons, M et al.. 2025. Understanding barriers and identifying solutions for smoking cessation in primary care: survey results informed by an integrated knowledge translation approach in British Columbia, Canada.. BMJ Open Qual. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2025-003635.
- Monforte, J, Castan, A, Smith, B, Hoekstra, F, Úbeda-Colomer, J. 2025. Physical activity promotion in Spanish adults with spinal cord injury: community guidelines, supporting resources and messaging strategies.. Disabil Rehabil. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2595238.
- Hoekstra, F et al.. 2025. Experiences on the implementation and maintenance of the Canadian Disability Participation Project: A mixed-methods study.. PLoS One. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334835.
- Douma, EH et al.. 2025. Professionals' Perceptions on Implementing an Adapted Lifestyle Coaching Program for People with Physical Disabilities.. Healthcare (Basel). doi: 10.3390/healthcare13161978.
- Sibley, KM et al.. 2025. Partnered health research in Canada: a cross-sectional survey of perceptions among researchers and knowledge users involved in funded projects between 2011 and 2019.. Health Res Policy Syst. doi: 10.1186/s12961-025-01299-8.
