TY - JOUR
T1 - Engagement and partnership with consumers and communities in the co-design and conduct of Research
T2 - Lessons from the INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on haemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial
AU - Long, Stephanie
AU - Ross, Cheryl
AU - Koops, Joan
AU - Coulthard, Katherine
AU - Nelson, Jane
AU - Shapkota, Archana Khadka
AU - Hewett, Leiana
AU - Tate-Baker, Jaclyn
AU - Graham, Jessica
AU - Mukula, Rose
AU - Tetteh, Cynthia
AU - Hoppo, Libby
AU - Cherian, Sajiv
AU - Pawar, Basant
AU - Chmielewski, Heidi Lee
AU - Gold, Lorna Murakami
AU - Rathnayake, Geetha
AU - Heron, Bianca
AU - Brewster-O’Brien, Teana
AU - Karepalli, Vijay
AU - Maple-Brown, Louise
AU - Batey, Robert
AU - Morris, Peter
AU - Davies, Jane
AU - Fernandes, David Kiran
AU - Thomas, Sajan
AU - Abeyaratne, Asanga
AU - Lawton, Paul D.
AU - Barzi, Federica
AU - Taylor, Sean
AU - Mayo, Mark
AU - Cass, Alan
AU - Majoni, Sandawana William
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Crown 2024.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Background: Engagement and partnership with consumers and communities throughout research processes produces high quality research meeting community needs and promoting translation of research into improved policy and practice. Partnership is critical in research involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (First Nations Peoples) to ensure cultural safety. We present lessons from the design, implementation and progress of the National Health and Medical Research Council funded INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on hemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial. Main body: The trial was designed to understand the benefits and harms of iron therapy in First Nations Australians on haemodialysis with anaemia and hyperferritinaemia. The lack of evidence for treatment was discussed with patients who were potential participants. A key element ensuring safe conduct of the INFERR trial was the establishment of the Indigenous Reference Groups (IRGs) comprising of dialysis patients based in the Top End of Australia and Central Australia. Two IRGs were needed based on advice from First Nations communities and researchers/academics on the project regarding local cultural differences and approaches to trial conduct. The IRGs underpin culturally safe trial conduct by providing input into study materials and translating study findings into effective messages and policies for First Nations dialysis patients. Throughout the trial conduct, the IRGs’ role has developed to provide key mechanisms for advice and guidance regarding research conduct both in this study and more broadly. Support provided to the IRGs by trial First Nations Research Officers and independent First Nations researchers/academics who simplify research concepts is critical. The IRGs have developed feedback documents and processes to participants, stakeholders, and the renal units. They guarantee culturally safe advice for embedding findings from the trial into clinical practice guidelines ensuring evidence-based approaches in managing anaemia in haemodialysis patients with hyperferritinaemia. Conclusion: Active consumer and community partnership is critical in research conduct to ensure research impact. Strong partnership with consumers in the INFERR clinical trial has demonstrated that First Nations Consumers will engage in research they understand, that addresses health priorities for them and where they feel respected, listened to, and empowered to achieve change.
AB - Background: Engagement and partnership with consumers and communities throughout research processes produces high quality research meeting community needs and promoting translation of research into improved policy and practice. Partnership is critical in research involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (First Nations Peoples) to ensure cultural safety. We present lessons from the design, implementation and progress of the National Health and Medical Research Council funded INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on hemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial. Main body: The trial was designed to understand the benefits and harms of iron therapy in First Nations Australians on haemodialysis with anaemia and hyperferritinaemia. The lack of evidence for treatment was discussed with patients who were potential participants. A key element ensuring safe conduct of the INFERR trial was the establishment of the Indigenous Reference Groups (IRGs) comprising of dialysis patients based in the Top End of Australia and Central Australia. Two IRGs were needed based on advice from First Nations communities and researchers/academics on the project regarding local cultural differences and approaches to trial conduct. The IRGs underpin culturally safe trial conduct by providing input into study materials and translating study findings into effective messages and policies for First Nations dialysis patients. Throughout the trial conduct, the IRGs’ role has developed to provide key mechanisms for advice and guidance regarding research conduct both in this study and more broadly. Support provided to the IRGs by trial First Nations Research Officers and independent First Nations researchers/academics who simplify research concepts is critical. The IRGs have developed feedback documents and processes to participants, stakeholders, and the renal units. They guarantee culturally safe advice for embedding findings from the trial into clinical practice guidelines ensuring evidence-based approaches in managing anaemia in haemodialysis patients with hyperferritinaemia. Conclusion: Active consumer and community partnership is critical in research conduct to ensure research impact. Strong partnership with consumers in the INFERR clinical trial has demonstrated that First Nations Consumers will engage in research they understand, that addresses health priorities for them and where they feel respected, listened to, and empowered to achieve change.
KW - Aboriginal and/or torres strait Islander peoples
KW - Clinical trial
KW - Communities
KW - Consumers
KW - Engagement
KW - First nations peoples
KW - Haemodialysis
KW - INFERR
KW - Partnership
KW - Reference groups
KW - Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199004061&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s40900-024-00608-9
DO - 10.1186/s40900-024-00608-9
M3 - Comment/debate
AN - SCOPUS:85199004061
SN - 2056-7529
VL - 10
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - Research Involvement and Engagement
JF - Research Involvement and Engagement
IS - 1
M1 - 73
ER -