What a difference consumers make: Better together in partnership

Abstract

A revolution is underway in health services research and design, with the voices of consumers now essential to knowledge creation. Increased recognition of the importance of integrating consumer perspectives into health services research has opened diverse channels inviting consumer engagement in, including in consumer reference groups. Here we showcase the experiences of the Consumer Reference Group (CRG) at the Australian National University's Institute for Commmunication in Health Care (ICH). Established in 2021 by Dr Mary Dahm during the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual CRG brings together patient advocates and health consumers from across Australia. Together with two consumer co-facilitators, Dr Ann Lawless and Dr Janney Wale, Mary convenes the group every six weeks to discuss the Institute's current and future research projects.