Workshop Highlights Progress Towards Deeper Involvement of Consumers in Research

Researcher at Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Dr Roshni Sharma, said she has been impressed by the passion of consumers involved in her project.

“It really is a joy to bring that passion into the sometimes dry world of research,” she said. “If I had my time again, I’d have brought our chief investigators and consumers together right at the start of the project.”

Co-chair of Sydney Health Partners’ Consumer Advisory Panel, Diana Trickett, reflected on the skills and experience that are beneficial to consumers who are involved in research.

“Consumers come in all shapes and sizes but we’re learning that having lived experience of healthcare is important - and probably some experience of managing people is helpful too,” she said.

Through panel discussions and interactive sessions, ReConX participants uncovered practical ways to engage meaningfully, co-create resources, and move from interest to involvement.

Insights shared included:

Speaking to the workshop, SHP’s Research Director Angela Todd highlighted the growing need for more consumers and researchers to partner in health and medical research.

“Most of our Consumer Advisory Panel members are supposedly retired - but they are busier than any of us employed people!” she said. “We need more consumers, or we risk burning out the ones we have.  We also need researchers to step forward and open doors”.