Engagement and partnership with consumers and communities in the co-design and conduct of Research: Lessons from the INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on haemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial

• Published in: Research Involvement and Engagement
• Main Authors: Stephanie Long, Cheryl Ross, Joan Koops, Katherine Coulthard, Jane Nelson, Archana Khadka Shapkota, Leiana Hewett, Jaclyn Tate-Baker, Jessica Graham, Rose Mukula, Cynthia Tetteh, Libby Hoppo, Sajiv Cherian, Basant Pawar, Heidi Lee Chmielewski, Lorna Murakami Gold, Geetha Rathnayake, Bianca Heron, Teana Brewster-O’Brien, Vijay Karepalli, Louise Maple-Brown, Robert Batey, Peter Morris, Jane Davies, David Kiran Fernandes, Sajan Thomas, Asanga Abeyaratne, Paul D. Lawton, Federica Barzi, Sean Taylor, Mark Mayo, Alan Cass, Sandawana William Majoni
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2024
• Subjects: Engagement; Partnership; Consumers; Communities; Aboriginal and/or torres strait Islander peoples; First nations peoples; Medicine; R; Medicine (General); R5-920; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-024-00608-9; https://doaj.org/article/2a6455a929d54670b107769270e12dd6

Abstract Background Engagement and partnership with consumers and communities throughout research processes produces high quality research meeting community needs and promoting translation of research into improved policy and practice. Partnership is critical in research involving Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (First Nations Peoples) to ensure cultural safety. We present lessons from the design, implementation and progress of the National Health and Medical Research Council funded INtravenous iron polymaltose for First Nations Australian patients with high FERRitin levels on hemodialysis (INFERR) clinical trial. Main body The trial was designed to understand the benefits and harms of iron therapy in First Nations Australians on haemodialysis with anaemia and hyperferritinaemia. The lack of evidence for treatment was discussed with patients who were potential participants. A key element ensuring safe conduct of the INFERR trial was the establishment of the Indigenous Reference Groups (IRGs) comprising of dialysis patients based in the Top End of Australia and Central Australia. Two IRGs were needed based on advice from First Nations communities and researchers/academics on the project regarding local cultural differences and approaches to trial conduct. The IRGs underpin culturally safe trial conduct by providing input into study materials and translating study findings into effective messages and policies for First Nations dialysis patients. Throughout the trial conduct, the IRGs’ role has developed to provide key mechanisms for advice and guidance regarding research conduct both in this study and more broadly. Support provided to the IRGs by trial First Nations Research Officers and independent First Nations researchers/academics who simplify research concepts is critical. The IRGs have developed feedback documents and processes to participants, stakeholders, and the renal units. They guarantee culturally safe advice for embedding findings from the trial into clinical practice guidelines ...