FAQs for Researchers - Health Consumers NSW

Do you have a question? We have the answer:

On this page, we are collating the most asked questions we get from researchers and people who want to get involved in research. If you have a question you think we should answer here, please get in touch with us.

What does consumer involvement in health research mean?

Consumer involvement is an active partnership between consumers and researchers, where consumers are actively involved in the research process. Involvement is more than the recruitment of consumers for health and medical research. It has been described as doing research with or by people who use health services rather than to, about or for them.

I am a consumer and would like to be involved in research, how do I get involved?

Health Consumers NSW has a network of consumers involved in research. If you want to connect with consumer researchers you can become a HCNSW member, join our online community to talk to other consumer researchers and follow us on socials. You can also sign up for some introductory Consumer and Community Involvement training.

How do I find consumers to involve in my research?

Many consumers would love to be involved in your research. Health Consumers NSW can help you to connect with consumers and support consumers to be actively involved in the planning, execution and dissemination of your research. Fill out the form request a consumer representative.

How do I learn how to involve consumers and the community in research?

You can attend our online introductory trainingJoint training for researchers and consumers in research or we can run a face-to-face workshop for your research team. Get in touch.

I want to access more resources on how to involve consumers and the community in research, where is a good place to start?

We are collating some resources specific to health consumers in research HERE. You can also check out our publications and resources HERE. Below are some more suggestions:

Sydney Health Partners has some great resources to support consumer involvement in research.
The Western Australian Health Translation Network has produced a Consumer and Community Involvement Handbook that provides a details guide for how to involve consumers and the community in research
You can read the National guidelines from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Consumers Health Forum on involving consumers and the community in health and medical research.