Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research developed the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research. Working in multidisciplinary teams, patient-oriented research (POR) engages patients as equal partners in all aspects of the research process. A team in British Columbia sought to uncover what is known about the competencies needed by POR stakeholders: researchers, patients, health care providers and health system decision-makers. The question asked was: What are the core competencies needed to be successful in POR for members of each stakeholder group?
Objectives:
1) To articulate the competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes) necessary for POR team members.
2) To identify the learning and professional development needs of each stakeholder group.
Methods:
We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature to reveal stated or inferred competencies. From 3/2017 to 1/2018 we retrieved a total of 1885 publications through health database searches. We extracted data from 36 peer-reviewed papers and 39 grey literature publications. The team reached consensus on competency statements through an iterative group process.
Results:
Competency statements included 42 discrete knowledge and skill competencies for researchers and 71 for patients. For researchers, the highest number were in categories of 'participation', 'communications', 'teamwork' and 'conflict/tension management'. For patients, the highest number were in 'research knowledge and skills', 'cultural competence/context' and 'participation'. There were few competencies found for other stakeholders. Attitudes that demonstrate inclination to conduct POR were noted for all.
Conclusions:
The competency statements illustrate learning needs for all stakeholders. Researchers require competencies in teamwork, power-sharing and group facilitation that augment their research expertise. Patients require knowledge of research methods and confidence in their ability to contribute to the team. All require a knowledge and acceptance of patient-oriented approaches to POR.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement:
The findings suggest that training is required for patients to make significant contributions to POR. Researchers need to learn how to establish patient-partnerships and foster collaborative, non-hierarchical ways of working.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research developed the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research. Working in multidisciplinary teams, patient-oriented research (POR) engages patients as equal partners in all aspects of the research process. A team in British Columbia sought to uncover what is known about the competencies needed by POR stakeholders: researchers, patients, health care providers and health system decision-makers. The question asked was: What are the core competencies needed to be successful in POR for members of each stakeholder group?
Objectives:
1) To articulate the competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes) necessary for POR team members.
2) To identify the learning and professional development needs of each stakeholder group.
Methods:
We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature to reveal stated or inferred competencies. From 3/2017 to 1/2018 we retrieved a total of 1885 publications through health database searches. We extracted data from 36 peer-reviewed papers and 39 grey literature publications. The team reached consensus on competency statements through an iterative group process.
Results:
Competency statements included 42 discrete knowledge and skill competencies for researchers and 71 for patients. For researchers, the highest number were in categories of 'participation', 'communications', 'teamwork' and 'conflict/tension management'. For patients, the highest number were in 'research knowledge and skills', 'cultural competence/context' and 'participation'. There were few competencies found for other stakeholders. Attitudes that demonstrate inclination to conduct POR were noted for all.
Conclusions:
The competency statements illustrate learning needs for all stakeholders. Researchers require competencies in teamwork, power-sharing and group facilitation that augment their research expertise. Patients require knowledge of research methods and confidence in their ability to contribute to the team. All require a knowledge and acceptance of patient-oriented approaches to POR.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement:
The findings suggest that training is required for patients to make significant contributions to POR. Researchers need to learn how to establish patient-partnerships and foster collaborative, non-hierarchical ways of working.