loading
Guiding Framework For Patient Engagement In Preclinical Laboratory Research

Our team has developed a guiding process framework that breaks down the stages of preclinical research and identifies opportunities for patient engagement.

Our Research Program Aim​

As demonstrated by many reports in the literature, we see great value and benefit in partnering with patients and caregivers in research. However, the vast majority of literature has focused on patient engagement in clinical research. Engagement in preclinical laboratory research (research conducted in cells and animals, prior to clinical trials) is still relatively novel.

We propose that engaging patients in preclinical laboratory-based research, could provide a better representation of perspectives, experiences, and concerns that need to be addressed for proposed therapies, when they are first being developed and tested.  Engaging patients in preclinical regenerative medicine and cell therapy research may be of particular interest, as such therapies often rely on the use of human cells and tissue.  

However, at first glance, it can be a little less intuitive as to how patient partners can meaningfully be engaged in lab research. This is a concern that was brought up by a patient partner team member that sparked the idea for this research program – studying the question: How can patients practically and meaningfully be engaged in preclinical, laboratory research?

How will we develop a framework?

We aim to develop a process framework that will guide the implementation of knowledge into action by breaking down the stages of preclinical research and identify opportunities for patient engagement. To build the framework we will 1) draw from existing clinical frameworks, scoping review evidence, an interview study, and collaborator input through deliberative knowledge space meetings, 2) conduct an international consensus-building survey (known as a Delphi) to obtain broader input, and 3) conduct a pilot test with preclinical laboratory researchers and patient partners to further refine the framework.

See below to learn more about each step, or click here to read our full protocol! 


Step 1 (Investigate)

Gather data through a scoping review, interview study, existing engagement frameworks.

As a starting point, we set-out to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature (also know as a scoping review) to identify articles describing preclinical patient engagement. Across the entire preclinical literature, we identified only 32 studies. From these studies we extracted key characteristics, barriers and enablers to engagement. Key themes identified from both our systematic review and a subsequent interview study highlighted that engagement in lab-based research is feasible. However preclinical research presents unique challenges to engagement including that differences in background and research experience can pose as a barrier to engagement and communication. 


Our studies also identified that supporting factors, such as guidance and resources will be needed to enable widespread adoption of patient engagement in preclinical laboratory research.
Based on this work, we are now interested in drawing from findings from our scoping review, interviews and existing patient engagement guidance to co-produce a process framework, which can be used by individual researchers, patient partners and research institutions, to help guide preclinical patient engagement. 

Step 2 (Establish a Deliberative Knowledge Space)

To systematically develop the framework we will hold a series of virtual deliberative knowledge space meetings, which are semi-structured discussions that aim to bring together different forms of knowledge, evidence and expertise, to come to a consensus . Our team, inclusive of 14 investigators (clinical researchers, patient partners, preclinical researchers, and a patient engagement specialist), will participate in four sessions, focused on identifying core components for the framework. These will include discussions on clarifying motivations and expectations for preclinical patient engagement, identifying key actors and their roles and activities. Discussions will be captured through recordings and written minutes. We will then synthesize key themes  after each of the first three meetings and review findings at the fourth.  Results will be used to shape an initial framework, which will also be supplemented with examples and resources.

Step 3 (Consensus Building)

As a next step, we will then plan to conduct a three-round survey to gather input from national and international partners on the framework (also known as a modified Delphi). We will recruit patient partners, researchers and other individuals (e.g. research funders and network leads) with expertise in patient engagement to ensure a wide range of views are captured. This survey will help to confirm essential components for the framework, identify new ideas, and provide feedback on aspects that should be re-worded or removed. Results will be used by the study team to refine the framework.

An International Delphi Survey to Develop a Framework for Patient Engagement in Preclinical Research

Step 4 (Pilot Field Test)

As a final step, we will work with 10 groups of preclinical laboratory researcher and patient partner teams to test out the framework. In this study, participants will provide key feedback on barriers and facilitators to using the framework. Each team will participate in three sequential sessions to 1) learn about the framework, 2) facilitate application of the framework and 3) co-develop action plans, a terms of reference and longer-term engagement plans (if appropriate).

Feedback on application of the framework will be captured through meeting documentation, impact logs, and a survey. Our survey will evaluate the patient engagement strategy (using questions from the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool ) and acceptability of the framework (using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Feedback obtained through the survey will be used to further refine the framework.

 
Pilot Testing a Framework for Patient Engagement in Preclinical Research – Patient Partners

 
Pilot Testing a Framework for Patient Engagement in Preclinical Research – Researchers

Step 5 (End of Project Meeting)

Investigator team, advisory council, and knowledge users finalize framework and dissemination.