Consumers offer unique invaluable insight

Research

Research can only truly meet the needs of the population and improve health outcomes if it is developed with meaningful and authentic engagement with consumers.

Consumers are people who have lived experience of a health issue. They might receive healthcare or advice, or otherwise use healthcare services. Consumers include patients, their friends, families, carers and members of the general public.

True involvement of consumers means the research is not done ‘about them’ or ‘for them’ - it is performed ‘with them’ or ‘by them’. Consumer involvement is increasingly shaping the research landscape, driven by actions from funding bodies, academic journals and policy changes, particularly with the recent implementation of the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework that outlines the need to engage consumers in research at all levels of an organisation and throughout the entire process of research, from design to delivery.

At Cabrini Research, we are seeking to embed consumers in all levels of research, from the highest level of governance on our Cabrini Research Committee, a subcommittee of the Cabrini Board, all the way through to working directly with our researchers to help shape what research is being performed, how it is carried out and how results and outcomes are shared and applied in practice.

The Cabrini Research Consumer Advisory Committee, chaired by Professor Gary Richardson OAM, Group Director Cabrini Research, was established in 2022, welcoming its first six members. Our consumer members are drawn from a broad range of backgrounds, all with lived experience, and all have experienced Cabrini Health from using a wide variety of clinical services.

“In my role as a speech pathologist, working with both paediatric and adult patients, I’m aware of the importance of listening to your patient and understanding their unique story. As a consumer representative, listening to the experiences of other consumers is vital.”

Erica

“I have a very strong desire to help in the fight against cancer by providing assistance to research and research projects. Apart from my own experience caring for loved ones with cancer, I have also worked in the allied health setting, where I became very aware of many of the needs and views of other cancer patients and their carers.”

Maree

“I have experienced several incidents in my life (and the lives of those around me) that have given me an insight into health research priorities, policy and practice.”

David

“I have great respect for the value of research and enjoy the intellectual challenges involved in the quest for knowledge. My career has provided me with considerable experience in research. I have also had considerable interactions with the medical system both as a patient and the carer of patients.”

John

“A consumer advisor role is an opportunity to bring a patient voice to prioritymaking and policy, plus have the ability to collaborate with clinicians on a topic where the patient has traditionally been passive.” Danielle

“I have been an extensive user of Cabrini Health’s services for some years, as an inpatient, outpatient, user of x-ray and pathology services, and attendee of the emergency department and ICU. I have plenty of experience that I feel could help shape research.”

Norman