Consumer and community involvement resources

Health research and health communities are increasingly recognising the value of involving consumers and community at all stages of the research process.

A common question from researchers is when should I involve consumers and community in my research?

You can involve consumers in:

• generating research ideas
• designing your project
• developing research resources such as information sheets and consent forms
• conducting research activities
• interpreting and analysing results and their implications for policy and practice
• helping to promote the use of research to inform improvement in healthcare and health outcomes, especially research that suggests a change in public awareness or behaviour.

Some resources to help you to involve consumers and community are listed below.

Planning for consumer involvement

Webinar: Include CCI in grant writing

Levels of consumer involvement

Recruiting consumers

Working with under-served groups

Improving inclusion of under-served populations

Partnering with Indigenous communities

Engaging with CALD communities

Useful links to Australian resources

• Researcher Guide to Consumer Involvement in Research (West Moreton Health)
• Describing and Assessing Consumer Involvement in Health Research in Funding Applications (Sydney Health Partners)
• A guide for health staff partnering with consumers (Health Consumers Queensland)
• Consumer and Community Involvement Handbook & Quick Guide (AHRA)
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Ethics Resources (CALDER)
• Australian Health Research Alliance
• NSW Regional Health Partners: Doing research, together
• Health Translation South Australia
• Western Australian Health Translation Network
• Monash Partners
• Melbourne Academic Centre for Health
• Sydney Health Partners
• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Australian Clinical Trials Alliance
• Principles for consumer involvement in research funded by the Medical Research Future Fund
• Griffith University's Citizen Researcher Essentials short course
• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) training
• UQ Faculty of Medicine (including budgeting for CCI resources)
• Tasmanian Collaboration for Health Improvement
• Guide for consumer involvement in research funded through the MRFF

Useful links to international resources

• Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute USA
• National Institute for Health Research UK