Competencies needed for patient involvement in patient-oriented research: report of a scoping review of the literature

Session: 

Oral session: Patient or healthcare consumers involvement and shared decision-making (3)

Date: 

Sunday 16 September 2018 - 14:50 to 15:00

Location: 

Ochil 2

All authors in correct order:

Frisch N1, Atherton P2, Macleod M3, Doyle-Waters M4, Ward J2, Sheane V5, Woodley J5, Mallidou A5
1 University of Victoria, Canada
2 British Columbia SUPPORT Unit, Canada
3 Univerity of Northern British Columbia, Canada
4 University of British Columbia, Canada
5 University of Victoria, Canada
Presenting author and contact person

Presenting author:

Noreen Frisch

Contact person:

Noreen Frisch
Abstract text
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.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research developed the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research. Patient-oriented research (POR) engages patients as equal partners in all aspects of the research process. Our team sought to uncover what is known about the competencies needed by POR stakeholders: researchers, patients, healthcare providers and health system decision-makers. We learned that training is required for patients to make significant contributions to POR. POR ultimately will result in improved patient-focused health outcomes. Patients have been involved in developing SPOR language. This statement is based on that language.