Consultation is a structured approach used to gather insights, feedback, or advice from consumers and stakeholders on specific activities—such as research projects, healthcare improvements, policies, strategies, or priority areas.Consultations may be: Consultation can take many forms, depending on the goals and audience. Common approaches include: These methods help ensure that diverse voices are heard and […]
Consensus building is a collaborative, democratic process where consumers—alongside clinicians, researchers, and other stakeholders—work together to reach shared agreement on key issues. It involves structured, participatory approaches that encourage open dialogue and respect for diverse perspectives, especially those with lived experience.These methods help balance priorities across all participants and guide decision-making in a transparent and […]
A consumer advisory panel is a high-level group made up of consumers and or community representatives. Established by health, research or healthcare organisations, consumer advisory panels can provide consumer perspectives on relevant issues across a range of research projects, provide input into the design of research and grant proposals, review policies, advocate for people with […]
Consumers can play a valuable role in project or steering committees by offering insights from a lived experience perspective. Their involvement may occur at various levels, including government, professional bodies, organisational boards or sub-committees, and research/healthcare improvement projects. All committees should have a Terms of Reference (ToR) that clearly outlines: the committee’s purpose, structure, and […]
Prof Diana Egerton-Warburton shares her experience, key learnings and helpful resources that supported her in establishing a consumer advisory panel for her research.