A Multi-Stakeholder research team is a diverse group of patients, family members, payers, policy makers, clinicians and researchers influencing the outcomes of research by collaborating effectively as research is conducted.
Multiple Chronic Conditions Community members live with or partner with others living with health conditions that are long term, complex and require life long medical and behavioral management skills in order to thrive.
As members of the Multiple Chronic Conditions Community (MCC) we are a nationwide diverse multi-stakeholder team of patients, family members, payers, policy makers, clinicians and researchers caring about and representing our own needs and strengths as well as the needs and strengths of others who live with and manage multiple complex, persistent and often mystifying health conditions.
We are partnering for patient centered outcomes research by learning together and collaborating effectively for improved health outcomes and system transformation. We are also helping others who want to learn and engage as members of a multi-stakeholder team while research is conducted.
When patient stakeholder needs and strengths are presented by the stakeholders themselves and made the center of the research process from conception to implementation, the outcomes of research are made more accessible and meaningful to patients and clinicians.
CIRCLE formed on the foundational beliefs that:
Patient centered outcomes research can benefit lives and improve MCC health outcomes.
Reciprocal relationships, collaboration and compassion for self and others transforms systems.
Solutions to the perceived barriers to patient and other stakeholder engagement exist and the tools to address them are accessible to all research teams.
A prerequisite to the use of any tool is the time, curiosity, humility and patience to exercise it fully. With the key ingredients of time, curiosity, humility and patience, the barriers around technology, social inequities, and reciprocal relationships can be removed.
The Partnering Guide for Research may help teams address these barriers and facilitate meaningful outcomes in safe and productive ways.
Where we are from:
The members of CIRCLE came together from 13 U.S. states across 7 time zones from all walks of life, background and cultures. We met via zoom weekly and used free virtual platforms to communicate and collaborate (google drive and slack). Using our guide and adapting it as we grew, we planned, learned and trained together and facilitated our teamwork while establishing, maintaining and sustaining reciprocal relationships. Ultimately we created the new partnering guide for research and collected over 60 lived experience stories and dialogues to form a MCC research agenda of 9 priorities.
Connie van Eeghen-CIRCLE project co-lead and assistant professor University of Vermont, specializing in implementation science, coaching, facilitating and leadership development
Constance.van-Eeghen@med.uvm.edu
Jennifer O'Rourke-Lavoie-CIRCLE project co-lead and lead author of the IBH-PC Patient Partner Guide and the Partnering for Research Guide, IBH-PC study patient partner co-investigator and coordinator of stakeholder engagement
Juvena Hitt-CIRCLE project manager and research specialist at the University of Vermont.