Key ingredients for successful collaboration in health research: perspectives of patient research partners
Date
2024-06-05
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Abstract
Abstract
Background
There are increasing publications on meaningful collaboration between researchers and patient research partners (PRPs), but fewer publications of such work from the PRP perspective using an evaluation framework. Our aim is to present our own perspectives and reflections on meaningful collaboration as PRPs working on a qualitative research study.
Main body
We were part of a study team that comprised of PRPs, clinicians and academic researchers, and was led by a PRP. The team designed and conducted a qualitative study aimed at understanding how patients make decisions around tapering of biologics for inflammatory bowel disease. The study was conducted online. The PRP lead was trained in qualitative methodology through a one-year certificate program called Patient and Community Engagement Research offered through the University of Calgary Continuing Education. We had received patient-oriented research training and qualitative research training prior to this project. Team members were assigned tasks by our group lead based on member interests and willingness. Some group members were part of the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research, Inflammation, Microbiome, and Alimentation: Gastro-Intestinal and Neuropsychiatric Effects Network, one of five chronic disease networks in the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. We describe the five key ingredients to successful collaboration based on our experiences and reflections utilizing the Experience-Reflection-Action Cycle as our framework. The five key ingredients that we identified were: inclusiveness, goal and role clarity, multi-level training and capacity building, shared decision making, and a supportive team lead.
Conclusion
Overall, our experience was positive. With successful collaboration came an increased level of trust, commitment and performance. There is a need for more studies with diverse PRPs in different settings to validate and/or identify additional factors to improve collaboration in patient-oriented research.
Plain English Summary There are an increasing number of publications on collaborative research work between researchers and patient research partners but fewer publications of such work from the patient research partner perspective. We share our experiences, reflections and the key factors for successful collaboration as two patient research partners on a research team led by a patient research partner trained in qualitative methodology through a one-year certificate program called Patient and Community Engagement Research offered through the University of Calgary Continuing Education. We had a positive overall experience and contributed as equal partners on the project, influencing many of the project decisions. Inclusiveness, goal and role clarity, multi-level training and capacity building, shared decision making, and a supportive team lead contributed to the feeling of empowerment and satisfaction. Our results indicate that with successful collaboration comes an increased level of trust, commitment and performance. There is a need for more studies with diverse patient research partners in different settings to validate and/or identify additional factors to improve collaboration in patient-oriented research.
Plain English Summary There are an increasing number of publications on collaborative research work between researchers and patient research partners but fewer publications of such work from the patient research partner perspective. We share our experiences, reflections and the key factors for successful collaboration as two patient research partners on a research team led by a patient research partner trained in qualitative methodology through a one-year certificate program called Patient and Community Engagement Research offered through the University of Calgary Continuing Education. We had a positive overall experience and contributed as equal partners on the project, influencing many of the project decisions. Inclusiveness, goal and role clarity, multi-level training and capacity building, shared decision making, and a supportive team lead contributed to the feeling of empowerment and satisfaction. Our results indicate that with successful collaboration comes an increased level of trust, commitment and performance. There is a need for more studies with diverse patient research partners in different settings to validate and/or identify additional factors to improve collaboration in patient-oriented research.
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Citation
Research Involvement and Engagement. 2024 Jun 05;10(1):52