Researchers and Consumers - Building Better Connections

ReConX – Building Researcher and Consumer Connections

The need for better connections and communications between health and medical researchers and consumers has never been greater and was the focus of the recent full day ReConX workshop held at the University of Sydney on 4 April.

Members from Cancer Voices NSW (CVN) joined consumers, researchers and clinicians from across the health continuum at the ReConX event which was hosted by Sydney Health Partners (SHP), The Sydney Knowledge Hub, University of Sydney, and Health Consumers NSW (HCNSW). More than 70 attendees explored what constitutes successful partnerships and collaborations between researchers and consumers.

An excellent panel discussion provided insights into what successful partnerships between consumers and researchers look like and how and why they work. We heard how the connections were made, how the relationships developed and the respect for what consumers bring to projects resulting in the research being more relevant for those affected by the disease in question. The issue of consumer remuneration was also highlighted, noting that everyone else on a project team is paid while in most instances the consumer is not.

Attendees also participated in a World Café session co facilitated by Carrie Hayter from HCNSW and Kathryn Leaney from CVN . Themed Thinking Out Loud – Creating Consumer and Researcher Partnerships, each table was charged with addressing the same three questions. Discussion was robust and constructive. Feedback on the session will be collated and shared with those who attended.

The final activity on the day was a consultation session on the review of the NHMRC’s 2016 Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research (the Statement) facilitated by Prof Angela Todd (SHP) and Carrie Hayter (HCNSW).

Some key points highlighted included that the statement is currently for researchers and that it needs to indicate that consumers must be active and equal partners in health and medical research. The language also needs to encompass all stakeholders who are involved in the process, with a strong emphasis on the value of partnerships and collaboration.