Working with consumer partners
We partner with patients, carers, family members and consumer organisations to ensure research is meaningful, relevant and impactful. Consumer involvement can occur at all stages of research, including:
- setting priorities by identifying topics and questions that matter to consumers
- designing and conducting research when shaping methods, outcomes and interpretation
- sharing results and ensuring findings are accessible and useful
- improving policy and practice in influencing how research is supported and applied.
Getting started
Types of consumer involvement:
- short-term consumer engagement – e.g. reviewing research materials, participating in focus groups.
- long-term formal consumer partnership – e.g. co-investigator, co-author.
Refer to our Partnering with consumers in research: guideline.
Help shape our research
If you would like to engage patients as consumers on your project, you can use the flyer or brochure to invite interest. Place the flyer in your clinical or outpatient area or hand the brochure directly to patients.
Orientation and training
Consumer orientation and training is available on MSHLearn (internal link, QH login required):
- Consumers - your role in research (internal link, QH login required)
- MSH consumer partner mandatory training (internal link, QH login required)
- Partnering with Consumers (PwC) Learning Program (internal link, QH login required) - search 'partnering with consumers' in MSHLearn for the full list of modules.
Current funding opportunities
IMPACT Initiative (Metro South Health)
IMPACT Initiative funding is now available to support short-term consumer engagement in the early stages of research:
- up to $500 per project
- no application rounds - apply anytime
- funded by Metro South Health Study Education and Research Trust Account (MSH SERTA) and available for 3 years.
To apply:
- refer to the IMPACT Initiative – engaging consumers in research work instruction
- submit your application and plan early to maximise funding.
Microgrants program (Health Translation Queensland)
Supports consumer partnerships in research. For more information about the microgrants program, email communications@healthtranslationqld.org.au for the expression of interest form. Allow 2-4 weeks for assessment.
Consent and Site Specific Assessment (SSA)
Use the MSH consumer partnering engagement information and consent template [DOCX, 265kB] (internal link, QH login required) when applying for SSA authorisation if a consumer is:
- listed as a co-investigator
- likely to be a co-author on any of your research publications.
Make sure you include the:
- title of your project
- ERM reference number
- signed information sheet or consent form.
Resources and support
Internal guides and procedures
- MSH: NSQHS standard 2 – Partnering with consumers (internal link, QH login required)
- Developing and displaying consumer information: work instruction (internal link, QH login required)
- Delivering health literate consumer services: procedure (internal link, QH login required)
- MSH consumer partner orientation program, onboarding and exit (internal link, QH login required)
- Remuneration and reimbursement of consumer partners (internal link, QH login required)
National resources
- NHMRC: review of the statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research
- National Clinical Trials Governance Framework (NCTGF)
Organisations
- Health Consumers Queensland
- Consumers in Research Australia
- HTQ: Consumer and community involvement
- Telethon Kids Institute
- Patient-Centred Outcomes Research Institute