Researchers and Stakeholders Describe Engagement Challenges and Strategies

When researchers partner with patients and other stakeholders in patient-centered research, the relationships can present challenges and opportunities for growth on both sides. PCORI hosted a webinar this month that addressed these challenges and presented strategies to help researchers and partners engage in research more successfully.

According to surveys about PCORI-funded project experiences, an example of difficulties for partners—who can include patients, caregivers, and community partners—is understanding the language of research. For instance, we’ve heard from patient partners that they can get confused by acronyms or technical terms that researchers often use when speaking. Strategies for overcoming this language barrier include using plain language and offering training to understand research terminology.

Diverse Perspectives

Another challenge that awardees face is integrating diverse partner perspectives, experiences, and education levels into projects. This work involves translating and reconciling different points of view into recommendations with the potential to impact study design. Strategies for awardees to overcome this challenge include facilitating open discussions, being sensitive to partners’ needs, and creating a supportive and respectful environment.

To learn more about overcoming some of the challenges that researchers and partners may face, view the webinar here.

Previous Webinars

The webinar on strategies to overcome engagement-related challenges was the third in a series that PCORI has hosted to highlight engagement in PCORI research and share practical information from awardees and partners.

The first one focused on how to initiate partnerships for patient-centered research; a blog post summarizing that webinar is available.

The second webinar focused on the ways patients and other stakeholder partners engage in PCORI research and how that involvement affects how research is conducted, studies’ outcomes, and partners’ lives. To learn about the impact of engaging partners in research, view that webinar here.