Consumer & Community Involvement in Research
See CCI Toolkit
Why partner with the community on your research projects?
Involving health consumers and community members in your research project bridges the gap between research and practice and ensures your research addresses the needs and priorities of the community - the beneficiaries of your research!
Research projects are enriched through partnering with the community in many ways, a few being:
- Ensuring your research addresses the needs of the community
- Identifying valuable knowledge gaps in practice
- Improving study design or clinical trial protocols through connection with those who could be participants
Many Australian funding bodies are now requesting demonstration of meaningful engagement or partnership with community members on research projects they fund.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to partnering with the community. Each project, team and budget are unique and you can build your partnership around what will work for you (and your community partners).
How HTSA can assist
- Tailored advice and training: Receive strategic advice for how best to engage the community for your project OR book in an introductory training session for your organisation
- Join HTSA's CCI Online Forum: Connect with others who partner with the community to post questions or seek resolution to issues you have. Once you have joined the CCI Online Forum, you can post, join in on the conversation, or simply learn from the online discussion. Join the Forum or contact Sarah Eley if you are having issues joining the Teams channel.
- Access the Community Interest Register: A database of community members who are interested in being involved in health and medical research projects (as partners, not research participants), who may have: lived experience of a specific health condition, been a 'consumer' of the health care system or have a general interest in a health or medical research topic. Submit a request.
- Take advantage of the CCI Toolkit: Everything you need to get up and running on your community partnership! See below to access resources and information.
CCI Toolkit
- CCI Glossary
Explaining common CCI terminology. - Checklist for engaging consumers and community members
To assist research teams who are new to partnering with the community. - HTSA's Consumer Engagement Spotlight Series
Watch the recordings from the CCI series to hear from experts and learn from real-life exemplars of CCI. - Consumer Engagement 101 Panel Session
A recording from those who have carved the way and have shared their experience. - Involving Consumers in Health and Medical Research
A practical handbook for organisations, researchers, consumers and funders. - How to co-design with young Victorians
A resource guiding how to work with younger Australians.
- Consumer and Community Involvement in Health Research
Introductory training provided by the Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN). - Consumer and Community Involvement and Grant Writing
How to write about CCI activities in grants, provided by WAHTN. - Consumer and Community Involvement
Introductory module training by Monash Partners.
- Community Engagement Request
This form is for researchers, clinicians or HTSA partners to request support in engaging community members in their research projects. This could take the form of strategic advice or to access to the Community Interest Register.
- Community engagement reimbursement form
A template to use for reimbursement for sitting fees, preparation work and out-of-pocket expenses for community collaborators. - SA Health Reimbursement Policy
Many organisations in South Australia follow the SA Health Reimbursement policy (see page 8 for reimbursement rates). - ATO Statement by Supplier
To be completed and sent with the reimbursement form the first time a payment is made by an organisation to a community member - it is a requirement of the ATO.
- Call for expression of interest
Template for researchers to use when recruiting community members for their research activities. - Consumer and Community Involvement Agreement
Teams may wish to co-sign this agreement with community partners which protects consumer privacy, IP and sets expectations for the research team. Adapt as needed. - Community Engagement Reimbursement Form
A template to use for reimbursement for sitting fees, preparation work and out-of-pocket expenses for community collaborators. - Terms of Reference for a Consumer Advisory Group
A template for researchers who are establishing a Consumer Advisory Group. Adapt as needed.
- Embedding consumer and community engagement activities in grant applications
This factsheet provides researchers with general advice about what grant reviewers are looking for in the community engagement section of applications. - Consumer and Community Involvement and Grant Writing
CCI training specific to writing grants provided by WAHTN.
- MRFF Principles for Consumer Involvement in Research
Specific guidance for how to strengthen and write about CCI for MRFF grant applications. - NHMRC Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
Aims to guide institutions, researchers, consumers and community members in CCI. - NHMRC Toolkit for CCI
A suite of resources related to CCI. - Australian Health Research Alliance's CCI Initiative
A program of work which aims to embed CCI in health and medical research policy and practice.
- Evaluating Community Partnerships
A recording of a panel session tackling evaluation in CCI. - Australian Clinical Trials Alliance toolkit
A toolkit providing practical advice for researchers wishing to conduct patient-centred clinical trials.
