Consumer involvement in the editorial processes of health research journals: how we can learn from one another and embed good practice

Workshop category: 

  • Editorial processes and supporting review authors
Date and Location

Date: 

Monday 17 September 2018 - 11:00 to 12:30

Location: 

Tinto
Contact persons and facilitators

Contact person:

Richard Morley

Facilitators:

Morley R1, Flemyng E2, Hilton J3, Price A4, Staniszewska S5, Stewart M6
1 Cochrane UK, United Kingdom
2 BMC part of Springer Nature, United Kingdom
3 Cochrane Editorial and Methods Department, United Kingdom
4 University of Oxford and The BMJ, USA
5 University of Warwick Medical School, United Kingdom
6 Cochrane Vascular, United Kingdom
Target audience

Target audience: 

Consumers, authors, members of editorial teams.

Level of difficulty: 

Basic
Type of workshop

Type of workshop : 

Discussion
Abstract

Abstract:

Background:
Consumer involvement in the editorial processes of health research journals like the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and Research Involvement and Engagement (RIE) has been undergoing significant change, and also been changing within Cochrane’s evidence production process.

This workshop will consider why patients are included in the editorial process of research journals, how different journals approach this practice, and how practice can be embedded. Issues considered will include journal governance and structure, for example, editors, Editorial Boards, and advisory boards; peer review process (e.g. from finding the reviewers to identifying the support they need); and making an impact with the right audiences, how to reach patients and the wider public.

Objectives:
The aims of this workshop are:
- to explore the benefits of consumer involvement in health journal editorial processes;
- to hear case studies of consumer involvement from the BMJ, RIE and Cochrane, including the patient perspective;
- to consider how learning from different approaches can be used better to embed consumer involvement in the future.

Description:
The workshop will consist of:
- an introduction to why we should consider public and patient involvement (PPI) in health research journas,l and editorial processes and structure.
- a presentation of case studies from Cochrane (including a Cochrane Review Group), RIE, BMJ.
- a patient perspective on involvement in the process.
- discussion groups for stages of the evidence-production cycle within journal processes, and how consumer involvement could be embedded better;
- full group discussion on how we can collaborate better and ensure continued learning from each other, the sharing of resources, collaboration in research, support, etc.;
- conclusion and summary of next steps.

Relevance to patients and consumers: 

Healthcare consumer involvement in research is a growing global movement that 1) promotes transparency; 2) results in evidence that addresses consumers’ needs; and 3) is increasingly expected or mandated by funders, and the users of research. Consumer involvement in the editorial process of health research journals is an important issue for consumers.