Sarah Donkers, University of Saskatchewan

Research

Capacity Development Evidence Informed Policy Health Data Indigenous Health Learning Health System Patient Engagement Patient Reported Outcomes And Experiences Patient-Oriented Research

Latest papers

The approaches, theories, models, frameworks, and methods in designing toolkits to support healthcare providers in health behaviour change: A scoping review protocol.
PloS one · 2026
Complexity, Multi-Morbidity, Polypharmacy and Disability in People With Multiple Sclerosis Seen by A Canadian Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A Retrospective Chart Review.
American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation · 2026
Exploring Impacts of Integrating a Rehabilitation Dog into Physiotherapy from the Perspectives of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Caregivers.
NeuroRehabilitation · 2025 · senior author

All 6 publications

Latest funding

Examining intersections of biographies & biologies: diversity & outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis in Canada (iBio2Div-MS)
CIHR · 2024 · Co-investigator
$19,955
Examining intersections of biographies & biologies: diversity & outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis in Canada (iBio2Div-MS)
CIHR · 2024 · Co-investigator
$1,999,180
Development of an online toolkit for the implementation of mindfulness-based interventions in people with multiple sclerosis
CIHR · 2024 · Co-investigator
$49,999

All 7 grants and awards

6 publications.

01

The approaches, theories, models, frameworks, and methods in designing toolkits to support healthcare providers in health behaviour change: A scoping review protocol.

Scandiffio J, Sureshkumar A, Feng G, Gaid D, Wasilewski M, Woods N, Donkers S, Simpson R, Munce S

PloS one2026

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0349867 PMID: 42224302

02

Complexity, Multi-Morbidity, Polypharmacy and Disability in People With Multiple Sclerosis Seen by A Canadian Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A Retrospective Chart Review.

Scandiffio J, Sureshkumar A, Schmitt B, Speranza M, Langer L, Donkers S, Oh J, Munce S, Bayley M, Bruno T, Simpson R

American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation2026

DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000002985 PMID: 41961477

03

Exploring Impacts of Integrating a Rehabilitation Dog into Physiotherapy from the Perspectives of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Caregivers.

Caron V, Oates A, Petrin J, Pinto R, Lanovaz J, Oosman S, Dell CA, Donkers S

NeuroRehabilitation2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1177/10538135251384485 PMID: 41277278

04

Experiences of people with multiple sclerosis and clinicians in using cognitive behavioural therapies for hidden symptoms: a systematic review and meta-aggregation.

Feng G, Posa S, Sureshkumar A, Simpson S, Bruno T, Morrow SA, Donkers S, Knox K, Feinstein A, Bayley M, Munce S, Simpson R

Journal of neurology2024

DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12116-z PMID: 38219252

05

Development of priorities for a Canadian strategy to advance activity-based therapies after spinal cord injury.

Musselman KE, Walden K, Noonan VK, Jervis-Rademeyer H, Thorogood N, Bouyer L, Chan B, Donkers S, Ho C, Jeji T, Kaiser A, Klassen TD, Zariffa J, Grant C, Masani K, Zbogar D, Athanasopoulous P, and the Canadian ABT Summit Attendees

Spinal cord2021

DOI: 10.1038/s41393-021-00644-2 PMID: 34099881

06

A Descriptive Correlational Study to Evaluate Three Measures of Assessing Upper Extremity Function in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis.

Saini A, Zucker-Levin A, McMillan B, Kumar P, Donkers S, Levin MC

Multiple sclerosis international2021

DOI: 10.1155/2021/5588335 PMID: 34258067

Examining intersections of biographies & biologies: diversity & outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis in Canada (iBio2Div-MS)

Co-investigatorCIHR2024Team Gr.: Emb. Diversity to Achieve Precision/Health Eq-Infection & Immunity-LOI

Principal investigators: Marrie, Ruth Ann; Finlayson, Marcia L

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis

$19,955

Examining intersections of biographies & biologies: diversity & outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis in Canada (iBio2Div-MS)

Co-investigatorCIHR2024Team Gr.: Embracing Diversity to Achieve Precision & Health Equity-General Omics

Principal investigators: Marrie, Ruth Ann; Fakolade, Afolasade; Finlayson, Marcia L; Kowalec, Kaarina A

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis

$1,999,180

Development of an online toolkit for the implementation of mindfulness-based interventions in people with multiple sclerosis

Co-investigatorCIHR2024Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Principal investigators: Simpson, Robert

Keywords: Implementation; Integrated Knowledge Translation; Mindfulness; Multiple Sclerosis

$49,999

Canadian Disability Participation Project 2.0: Developing, Implementing and Evaluating Quality Sport, Exercise and Play Experiences for Canadians with Disabilities

Co-investigatorSSHRC2022Partnership Grants

Keywords: quality participation; disability; sport; exercise; play; recreation; children; youth; adults; knowledge creation; knowledge mobilization; implementation; dissemination

$331,075

Canadian Disability Participation Project 2.0: Developing, Implementing and Evaluating Quality Sport, Exercise and Play Experiences for Canadians with Disabilities

Co-investigatorSSHRC2022Partnership Grants

Keywords: quality participation; disability; sport; exercise; play; recreation; children; youth; adults; knowledge creation; knowledge mobilization; implementation; dissemination

$190,745

Accelerating Canadian Rehabilitation Research in Multiple Sclerosis

Co-investigatorCIHR2022Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Principal investigators: Ploughman, Michelle E

Keywords: Clinical Trials; Consensus; Multiple Sclerosis; Patient-Oriented Research; Quality Of Life; Rehabilitation

$10,000

Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research Phase II Renewal

Principal investigatorCIHR2020SPOR SUPPORT Unit Phase II - Saskatchewan

Principal investigators: Smith, Preston A; Babyn, Paul S; Clark, Megan; Donkers, Sarah J; King, Malcolm; Lawson, Karen; Maina, Geoffrey M; Mann, Jackie; Skrapek, Candace H

Keywords: Capacity Development; Evidence Informed Policy; Health Data; Indigenous Health; Learning Health System; Patient Engagement; Patient Reported Outcomes And Experiences; Patient-Oriented Research; Quality Improvement

$12,572,099

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Physical Therapy
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Immunology
Réadaptation
Geriatrics
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Indigenous Studies
Other

Co-authors at University of Saskatchewan, colored by department. Thicker lines mean more shared papers; select anyone to open their profile and their own map.

Sarah Munce

Faculty

3 shared papers, latest 2026

Robert Simpson

Faculty

3 shared papers, latest 2026

Mark Bayley

Physical Therapy

2 shared papers, latest 2026

Nicole Woods

Department of Family and Community Medicine

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Laurent Bouyer

Réadaptation

1 shared papers, latest 2021

Chester Ho

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

1 shared papers, latest 2021

Anita Kaiser

Faculty

1 shared papers, latest 2021

Marina Wasilewski

Geriatrics

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Jiwon Oh

Immunology

1 shared papers, latest 2026

Kei Masani

Physical Therapy

1 shared papers, latest 2021

Sarah Oosman

Indigenous Studies

1 shared papers, latest 2025

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their CIHR grant from 2020

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Capacity Development Dear Professor Donkers, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "The approaches, theories, models, frameworks, and methods in designing toolkits to support healthcare providers in health behaviour change: A scoping review protocol." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your CIHR-funded project "Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research Phase II Renewal" (2020), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]