Co-design of an Australian health service framework and implementation plan for involving consumers in research

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

doi:10.1071/pu24021

journal article Open Access May 29, 2025

Co-design of an Australian health service framework and implementation plan for involving consumers in research

Laura Ryan

Rachel Wenke

Joan Carlini

Kelly. A. Weir Margaret Shapiro Noela Baglot Magnolia Cardona Georgia Tobiano

Sally Sargeant Rachel Muir

Laetitia Hattingh

Public Health Research and Practice Vol. 35 No. 2 · CSIRO Publishing

View at Publisher Save 10.1071/pu24021

Abstract

Objectives
The value of engaging health service users and their families (consumers) in research is increasingly being recognised in planning and evaluating health services to meet diverse needs. This project aimed to co-design a strategic consumer involvement framework and implementation plan for a public Australian hospital and health service.

Methods
A co-design approach was used to adopt a framework and develop an implementation plan across five stages: (1) an initial consultation with key stakeholders, (2) a survey of health service staff about involving consumers in research at the health service, (3) three group sessions using Nominal Group Technique with health service consumers and staff that explored barriers and solutions to involving consumers, (4) data synthesis, and (5) a workshop of key stakeholders to develop and refine the implementation plan. Three consumer partners contributed to protocol development, research design, data analysis, and manuscript writing.

Results
Survey and group session data highlighted a need for governance, infrastructure, capacity building, and leadership and culture within the organisation to support the involvement of consumers in research at the health service. These aligned with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) Framework domains. Implementation strategies were adjusted on the basis of insights from the local context to facilitate adoption within the health service.

Conclusions
By better supporting consumers and researchers to work together in health service research, organisations can enhance the relevance, quality, and impact of their research efforts. This project provides a valuable blueprint for developing a local, contextualised approach to promoting effective consumer–researcher relationships in Australian public health services.

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Citations

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References

Details

Published: May 29, 2025
Vol/Issue: 35(2)
License: View

Authors

L

Laura Ryan

AAllied Health Research, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

R

Rachel Wenke

AAllied Health Research, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.; BSchool of Health Sciences & Social Work, Griffith University, Qld 4221, Australia.; CFaculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Qld 4226, Australia.

J

Joan Carlini

DConsumer Advisory Group, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.; EDepartment of Marketing, Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Qld 4111, Australia.

K

Kelly. A. Weir

FMelbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Vic 3010, Australia.; GThe Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.

M

Margaret Shapiro

DConsumer Advisory Group, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

N

Noela Baglot

DConsumer Advisory Group, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

M

Magnolia Cardona

HSchool of Population Health, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.; IInstitute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Qld 4226, Australia.

G

Georgia Tobiano

JNHMRC CRE in Wiser Wound Care, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.; KNursing and Midwifery Education and Research Unit, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.

S

Sally Sargeant

LFaculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia.

R

Rachel Muir

MSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.; NEmergency Department, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.; OFlorence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Kings College London, UK.

L

Laetitia Hattingh

AAllied Health Research, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, Qld 4215, Australia.; PSchool of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.; QSchool of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Qld 4102, Australia.

Cite This Article

Laura Ryan, Rachel Wenke, Joan Carlini, et al. (2025). Co-design of an Australian health service framework and implementation plan for involving consumers in research. Public Health Research and Practice, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.1071/pu24021

Co-design of an Australian health service framework and implementation plan for involving consumers in research

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