Consumers
It is increasingly recognised that involving consumers enhances the quality and relevance of research.
In line with the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC’s) definition, consumers are people who have lived experience of a health issue. They include patients, their friends, families, carers and members of the general public. Consumers can also be people who represent the views and interests of a consumer organisation, a community or a wider constituency.
Involvement of consumers and the community in research refers to research that is carried out with or by members of the public.
The Department of Health’s Office of Medical Research and Innovation (OMRI), which provides administrative and operational support to the FHRI Fund, works with Consumer and Community Involvement Coordinator to ensure the FHRI Fund embeds best-practice consumer and community engagement in its activities. More information about the Community Involvement Coordinator's work can be viewed here and information about the FHRI Fund's consumer engagement activities can be viewed here.
NHMRC National Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
The National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC's) Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research (2016) is a key reference document for the Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund and it is recommended that stakeholders are familiar with it.
Consumer and Community Involvement Program
The importance of including the ‘lived experiences’, values and priorities of consumers and community members into research policies and practice supports the aim of increasing translation of research evidence to improve health outcomes.
The Consumer and Community Involvement Program (CCIP) team support consumers, community members, and researchers to work in partnership to make decisions about health research priorities, policy and practice.
If you’re an interested researcher or community member, find out more by visiting the CCIP website.
Health Consumers’ Council of Western Australia
The Health Consumers’ Council (WA) Inc (HCC) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that is "passionate about ensuring the consumer is at the heart of our state’s health care system".
The HCC offers an Individual Advocacy Service and systemic advocacy for the Western Australian community. It also runs an Engagement Program providing training and other support to ensure people can have a say in health policy, planning and review.
Visit the HCC website to find out more.