Consumer involvement in health service research: a cross-sectional survey of staff in an Australian public hospital and health service

Laura Ryan; Laetitia Hattingh; Joan Carlini; Kelly A. Weir; Margaret Shapiro; Noela Baglot; Magnolia Cardona; Georgia Tobiano; Rachel Muir; Shelley Roberts; Sally Sargeant; Rachel Wenke

doi:10.1071/AH24186

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Consumer involvement in health service research: a cross-sectional survey of staff in an Australian public hospital and health service

Laura Ryan ^A ^* , Laetitia Hattingh ^A ^B ^C , Joan Carlini ^D ^E , Kelly A. Weir ^F ^G , Margaret Shapiro ^B , Noela Baglot ^B , Magnolia Cardona ^H ^I , Georgia Tobiano ^J ^K , Rachel Muir ^L ^M ^N , Shelley Roberts ^A ^O , Sally Sargeant ^P and Rachel Wenke ^A ^O ^Q

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Allied Health Research, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

^B School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.

^C School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Qld 4102, Australia.

^D Consumer Advisory Group, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

^E Department of Marketing, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Qld 4111, Australia.

^F Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia.

^G The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.

^H School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

^I Institute of Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Qld 4226, Australia.

^J NHMRC CRE in Wiser Wound Care, Griffith University, Qld 4215, Australia.

^K Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research Unit, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

^L School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.

^M Emergency Department, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

^N Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Kings College London, London, UK.

^O School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia.

^P Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.

^Q Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Qld 4226, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: Laura.ryan2@health.qld.gov.au

Australian Health Review https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24186

Submitted: 4 May 2024 Accepted: 2 August 2024 Published: 26 August 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Objective

Consumer involvement is when patients (their families, friends, and caregivers) work with researchers on research projects. While health services are expected to support consumer–researcher collaborations, conducive environments still need to be developed, with limited research into how Australian health services support this practice. This study explores current consumer involvement in research activity and staff perceptions at an Australian tertiary hospital and health service.

Methods

Research-active employees at a health service were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional survey. It assessed experience with and confidence in involving consumers in research, the perceived value of consumer involvement, and considerations related to challenges, facilitators, and solutions to enhance consumer involvement in health service research.

Results

Among 83 respondents, including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals, 54 completed the survey. Approximately half had experience with involving consumers in research. Over 80% recognised that involving consumers enhanced research relevance. Identified barriers included challenges in finding (46.6%) and compensating (59.3%) consumers, as well as deficiencies in researcher skills, knowledge (32.2%), and time constraints (39%). Facilitators comprised access to experienced researchers and educational opportunities. Moreover, 87% advocated for increased support to involve consumers within health services, with the appointment of a designated consumer involvement officer deemed the most beneficial solution by 92.5% of respondents.

Conclusions

While individual barriers inhibit consumer involvement in research, more prominent institutional factors such as financial and technical support may determine successful and meaningful collaborations. As health services evolve towards co-design models in research, the outcomes of this study will guide initiatives aimed at enhancing consumer involvement in the research process within Australian health services.

Keywords: co-design, community participation, consumer, consumer engagement, consumer involvement, hospital, hospital and health service, patient involvement, patient participation.

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