HealthANSWERS PARTNERSHIP
Consumer Engagement Strategy
Why HealthANSWERS involves consumers
Consumer involvement means that the research
•	is more likely to be relevant to community needs
•	delivers better health outcomes
•	delivers greater public awareness of research findings
How HealthANSWERS involves consumers
HealthANSWERS brings the consumer perspective to research by
•	engaging consumers as researchers, advisers and participants, and
•	drawing on consumer and community organisations’ knowledge and insight.
Consumers on any committee or research team are treated as equal members and their
experience and contributions are respected.
Where HealthANSWERS involves consumers
Consumers are involved in all levels of the research
•	Governance
o	Strategic
o	Project specific
•	Research projects
o	Design
o	Implementation
o	Data interpretation
o	Translation of findings
o	Dissemination of findings
•	Research participants
How HealthANSWERS supports consumer involvement
Consumer as researchers and advisers
•	Arranges training for consumers to become involved in research
o	Person-centred approach to health care delivery & research
o	The research process
o	Using research to bring about change
o	Using consumer stories effectively
o	Safe story telling
o	Privacy and confidentiality
o	Code of Conduct

•	Formally inducts consumers into their roles
•	Nominates a contact person for each project and committee, someone who is
•	available to facilitate involvement, answer questions, and provide support
•	Reimburses consumers appropriately to support their involvement
•	Provides resources in a form that is accessible to individual needs (e.g. large print,
•	paper copies, computer screen readers)
•	Arranges meetings
o	at times that are convenient for the consumer (e.g. standard work hours
o	may preclude some consumers’ participation)
•	at venues that are accessible (e.g. available parking, wheelchair access to
•	buildings, rooms and facilities, hearing loops)
•	Provides interpreters and translators, when needed

Consumer and community organisations
•	Partners with Health Care Consumers’ Association to ensure that all research reflects appropriate involvement of consumers and respect for the consumer perspective
•	Identifies the relevant community organisations when undertaking work on a new topic or project, and seeks to engage them, as appropriate
Consumers as participants
•	Always communicates in plain English
•	Provides a summary of the outcome of each project to all research to participants