Developing a national strategy of consumer and community involvement (CCI) for women’s health research

OBJECTIVE: To develop a consumer and community involvement (CCI) strategy for the Women’s Health Research, Translation and Impact Network (WHRTN), an initiative of the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA). TYPE OF PROGRAM: A national network, comprising representatives from 14 nationally-accredited research translation centres that aims to embed CCI at a systems level, to improve equity and health outcomes across women’s health. METHODS: A CCI Sub-Committee of WHRTN was established, chaired by a Consumer Advisor/Advocate. This committee invited both internal and external Consumer Advisor/Advocates to participate in a workshop, to guide the development of WHRTN’s CCI Strategy in women’s health research. RESULTS: A CCI Strategy document was written with input from workshop attendees and leading academics in women’s health and has now been implemented into WHRTN, informing all aspect of the Network’s programs and activities. DISCUSSION: Broad and early consumer involvement can facilitate meaningful partnerships between researchers and community, and enable genuine consumer contributions to research across strategy development, priority setting and undertaking research. Appropriate finances and time need to be allocated for CCI, with training in CCI a key enabler for its effective implementation.