Engaged Research Approaches: Collaborating with Patients, Clinicians, and Communities

Research study findings are used to form the foundation of clinical practice, patient decision-making, community action, and policy. Yet, funders, policy makers and the research community state that research can be ineffectual and irrelevant without key input and collaboration from "end user" communities, namely those that are impacted by the findings (eg., patients, clinicians, and caregivers.) To bridge this gap, population health researchers and clinical scientists should know: 1. How to engage diverse groups outside academia 2. How to be responsive to their needs, preferences, and values These approaches will generate more applicable evidence for clinical and health policy decision-making and increase the dissemination and sustainability of research findings in the real world. This workshop will introduce various approaches and principles on how to include patients and other key groups as collaborators in the research process and will build skills that optimize authentic engagement. Learn how to apply community-engaged research approaches as an evidence-based method to improve study feasibility, acceptability, relevance, and rigor. Workshop Outcomes: By the end of the workshop, participants will get a practical foundation in strategies and approaches that support meaningful engagement with diverse groups in the research process. Participants will also understand the principles and practices that foster authentic partnered and engaged research and become familiar with its key components such as: -Determining the role of engaged approaches in population health science -Identifying patient, clinician, and community collaborators and informants -Fostering methods for intentional engagement (e.g., how to support and train community collaborators and build engagement into your research proposals) Recommended Audience: Researchers, research staff, and students who are new to engaged research approaches and are interested in learning how to start incorporating such methods into their studies. Class Size: 17 regular slots/ 8 student slots