Consumers in Research
Supporting health consumers to be research ready, and researchers to be consumer ready
The past decade has seen growing recognition of the importance of consumer and community involvement in healthcare delivery. There is strong evidence that involving health consumers in designing services, care pathways and policies leads to more patient-centred care.
More recently, there has been an increased focus on involving consumers and community members in health and medical research.
Consumer involvement can ensure research is addressing questions that are important to patients and their families, improve the quality and outcomes of research, and increase public accountability and confidence. Consumers also report valuing the opportunity to contribute to research and to help answer questions that directly impact patients and their health outcomes.
Promoting Consumer Involvement in Research
We co-developed a guiding framework with consumers, researchers and Health Consumers NSW (a peak body for health consumers) to shape our work in this growing area. Our framework draws on a model developed by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, and focuses on four key areas:
We lead initiatives and activities in all four key areas. For example, our governance structure includes a Consumer Advisory Panel, a sub-committee of our Board, to provide strategic advice and oversee our consumer engagement work.
As part of our capacity-building initiatives, we have worked with Health Consumers NSW as well as consumers and researchers to develop introductory and intermediate training. We also frequently deliver seminars and webinars to help consumers and researchers learn how to work together effectively.
Get Involved
Latest News and Events
ReConX brings researchers and consumers together to strengthen collaboration and AI readiness
More than 60 researchers and consumers came together at the recent ReConX workshop, co-hosted by Sydney Health Partners and Health Consumers NSW, to develop practical skills and explore new partnership opportunities in health and medical research.
Workshop Highlights Progress Towards Deeper Involvement of Consumers in Research
New Consumer Involvement Guide Helps Both Researchers and Grant Reviewers
Latest Resources
Consumer Partnerships that Matter
This video features two case studies that illustrate productive consumer-researcher partnerships.
Implementing the National Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Research
This webinar takes a closer look at the new National Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical…
Wellbeing Health & Youth Centre of Research Excellence in Adolescent Health
Wellbeing Health & Youth (WH&Y) has co-designed a suite of 10 guides, including tools and templates, about how to effectively…
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