Resources for Researchers

Learn the basics of Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in this free, 30-minute online course. Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What CCI is (and isn’t)
• How involving people and communities in your research is vital for healthier communities
• A snapshot of CCI in practice

Developed by the WA Health Translation Network, the program is open to anyone wanting to get started with this important work.

Health Consumers Tasmania is the peak independent body for health consumers across Tasmania. It has set up a community of interest of over 650 people and to date has given voice to consumers in 15 partnerships and national/state-wide health related committees.

Choose the level of involvement that suits you, from joining the mailing list, to taking a seat at the decision-making table on government agency health committees where you can be the voice that creates positive change.

The Involving Consumers in Health and Medical Research handbook, published by the Australian Health Research Alliance and the Western Australian Health Translation Network, provides an excellent starting point for researchers interested in initiating consumer involvement in their research.

The Tasmanian Government Department of Health has committed to a 2020-26 Action Plan: Improving Aboriginal Cultural Respect Across Tasmania’s Health System. Focus Area 4 of the action plan outlines commitments regarding ‘Consumer Participation and Engagement’ that should inform consumer involvement in health research.

All research relating to Tasmanian Aboriginal health must be co-designed with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and observe National Health Medical Research Centre’s (NHMRC) guidelines.

These guidelines are set out in the NHMRC’s report: Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities (2018).

Cancer Australia has developed web-based practical tools to assist CEOs and Executives, Service Managers, Health Professionals, Researchers, Policy Makers and Consumers to actively engage with consumers around a shared focus and vision.

The National Framework for Consumer Involvement in Cancer Control provides a pathway for involving consumers in health.

Citizen science can be a relevant research method for engaging health consumers in health research.

Kate Garvey, from the Tasmanian Government Public Health Services and Dr Kim Jose from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research have published a report explaining how they piloted using citizen science to better understand walkability and physical activity in rural Tasmania.