Why get involved as a partner in research?

[Alies Maybee]

I somehow backed into becoming a patient partner in research. I don't have a chronic illness like diabetes where becoming involved in research seems more of a natural step. I have, however, become fascinated by research and the possibilities it offers those of us willing to engage. I am interested in learning why some of you have become involved with research.

For me, it started in 2011 when someone asked if I would be the citizen member of the Research Management Committee of the Canadian Frailty Network. At the start, I didn't have a clue how the world of research worked. I didn't know that PI meant Principal Investigator or basically the head of the research project.

Because of this exposure, I was asked to be a patient partner on several research projects when CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research) made it basically mandatory that that teams have a patient partner. At that point, none of us knew what we were doing. So I have learned and am learning by doing.

I have uncovered my growing interest in research about the health system, evaluation and measurement and types of research that deal with transitions of care for example. And as a benefit of being early in the game, have delivered workshops on patient partnership in research primarily to researchers. I would love to work on training for those of us who are patient partners.

My friend and colleague, Annette McKinnon, has written about her experience becoming a partner in research. Do take a look, it is a short read.

I also wrote about the Bumps and Boulders on the Road for Patients Partnering in Research back in Sep 2015. I think much of it is still true today but would welcome your comments.

[Claudia Hernandez]

Are there any news or improvements in having partners as co-researchers in basic science?
I would like to know how a partner can contribute to that aspect of research.