This document provides guidance on recruiting patient and public partners for research engagement. It discusses important considerations around language and inclusion. Key aspects of developing a recruitment strategy are described, such as determining the purpose and goals of engagement and identifying motivations, roles and time commitments. The document provides a template for a call for patient partners, covering project details, the engagement opportunity, responsibilities, timelines, and contact information. It also offers tips for recruitment methods, screening applicants, and tips for successful engagement.

1. RECRUITING FOR PATIENT
ENGAGEMENT
CHI’s Patient & Public Engagement Lunchtime Learning | Nov 9,
2021

2. • Describe important considerations when
seeking patient and public partners;
• Describe key aspects of a successful
recruitment strategy; and
• Prepare a clear, concise and accessible
one-pager for recruitment.
Learning Objectives

3. Patient engagement may exclude individuals
who do not identify as “patients” due to:
• Inability to access healthcare due to geography
and/or systemic barriers
• Living with mental health or substance use issues
where “patient” is associated with stigma
• Refusing to engage or exiting system due to
unresponsive or disrespectful care
• Continued medicalization of people living with
disabilities
The Importance of Language

4. • Person first language
• Avoid medicalization and negative
associations
– E.g., person living with a disability vs. person
suffering from a disability
• People with lived/living experience of…
• Inclusive of all identities, non-binary
• When unsure, defer to people with lived
experience or community leaders
• You will make mistakes and misstep!
Language Sets the Tone

5. What to Think About
When Recruiting

6. • Reflecting on personal experiences, values,
beliefs and political commitments
Assessing Readiness to Engage
www.chimb.ca/resources

7. What’s the Purpose?
Identify research priorities that matter most to people affected
Develop and clarify research question(s)
Ensure appropriate, acceptable and sensitive methods for
recruitment and data collection
Accessible language and relevant content of study materials
Identify meaningful outcomes to study

8. What’s the Purpose?
Recruit participants
Collect data and develop research skills
Analyze & interpret findings
Determine best ways to share findings
Develop effective knowledge translation strategies

9. • How involved are patient and public
partners going to be in making research
decisions?
• Who has the ultimate say?
• Where are opportunities to renegotiate
power?
Levels of Engagement
http://bit.ly/PE-3

10. • Participatory activities and decision-making
Methods in Engagement
www.chimb.ca/resources

11. Factors Influencing Involvement
Time & energy
commitment
How information is
presented
Work & life
responsibilities
Scheduling
conflicts
Transportation &
location
Access to
technology &
equipment

12. Factors Influencing Involvement
Interest in topic or
area of research
Belief in skills &
ability to contribute
Power dynamics Safety
Style of
engagement
Value placed on
different ways of
knowing

13. • Helping people living with a health issue
• Giving back to community
• Improving quality of life for self and others
• Improving quality of care for self and others
• Trust and mutual support from other patient
and public partners
• Ability to contribute valuable insights and
perspectives to be heard by research
community
Motivations for Getting Involved

14. Information to Include in a
Call for Patient & Public
Partners

15. • Project title
• Overview of what the project is about
• Lay language rationale
• Lay language description of project goals
• Why the project itself is relevant to potential
patient and public partners
Project Information

16. • Goal of engagement in this project
• What partners will be asked to do
• How partners will be engaged (specific
activities, e.g., advisory group, co-
researcher)
• Which specific decisions partners will
inform
• How partners’ input will be used in
decision-making (i.e. level of engagement)
Engagement Opportunity

17. • What is expected of partners
– Training
– Preparation for meetings
– Participation (certain # of meetings, key
decision meetings)
– Reporting
• What is expected of research/project team
– Regular communication
– Updates on progress and decision-making
Roles & Responsibilities

18. • When engagement is expected to start
– Relative to overall project timelines
• Key time points for involvement
– E.g., recruitment, interpreting data
• Number of estimated hours per
week/month
• Expected duration of commitment (end
date)
• What circumstances may cause changes in
time commitment/duration
Time Commitment & Duration

19. • Compensation: payment for time, energy
and expertise
– How much, how often, and in what form
partners will be paid (e.g., monthly cheques)
• Reimbursement: covering costs incurred as
part of engagement
– Which costs will be covered up front (e.g.,
parking passes, bus tickets, calling cards)
– Which costs partners will incur and if, when
and how partners will be reimbursed
Compensation & Reimbursement

20. • Deadline to express interest
• Who to contact for more information or to
express interest in opportunity
– Email
– Phone number
• Name of research/project lead
• Name of organization(s)
Contact Information

21. Developing a
Successful Recruitment Strategy

22. • Word of mouth
– Community and health consumer
organizations
– Healthcare professionals
– People already involved in research
• Physical advertisements (posters,
pamphlets)
• Direct messaging, emails, eNews
• Social media (‘organic’ or via paid ads)
• Presentations/info sessions
Modes of Recruitment

23. • Healthcare consumer organizations
• Local community organizations
• Local leaders
• Healthcare professionals
• Health researchers
• Research institutions
• Engagement professionals
• Patient and public partners
Partners in Recruitment

24. If creating a poster or online ad:
• Concise and straightforward
• Relevant information to catch attention
• Lay language, avoid jargon & acronyms
• Accessibility considerations (high contrast,
alt text for images)
• Lots of white space
• Call to action
Design Principles in Recruitment

26. Screening & Interviewing
Potential Partners

27. • Two-way interview – mutual interest
• Discuss expectations and needs to
determine if they can be met
• Get a feel for whether extra supports may
be needed
• Find out reasons for wanting to be engaged
Meeting with Applicants

28. • Unwilling to listen to others’ perspectives
• Blatantly discriminatory against certain
groups of people (e.g., racist, transphobic)
• Obvious lack of respect for physical or
emotional boundaries
• Discounting the need for safe spaces
• Total misunderstanding of opportunity (are
you being clear enough? Take a step back)
Red Flags

29. • Differing opinions from your own
• Someone who challenges you or may
openly disagree with your perspective
• Valuing different ways of knowing
• Religious or spiritual beliefs
• Mistrust for authority
• Introversion
• Preference for non-verbal communication
or inability to speak up in a group
NOT Red Flags

30. • Be clear but flexible
• Be patient
• Meet people where they’re at
• Be open to working with different
personalities and viewpoints
• Adaptability and flexibility are key to
meaningful engagement
Tips for Success