Table 4 Barriers and mitigation strategies

Lack of consumer sense of purpose

Comprehensive training about the CCIP, the role of consumers and responsibilities is provided. Importantly, a clear outline of the expectations of consumers, OPUS and their research partners are defined with all training material to be co-designed with Consumer Advocates to ensure appropriateness and relevancy. Consumers have ready access to the CCLO, the CCAG, the wider OPUS group and fellow consumer peers, to help support a lack of direction and purpose consumers may feel.

Lack of resources allocated

Continuous sourcing of funds are undertaken routinely by the CCAG and researchers to support consumer participation at OPUS. All participating researchers must build consumer involvement into their projects by incorporating consumer engagement as a budget line item in all grant submissions.

Funding is managed by OPUS administration to ensure consistency throughout the program.

Poor communication between researchers and consumers

Ongoing training is provided to both researchers and consumers to ensure there are clear expectations of the roles within the CCIP. A direct line of communication is always available and should be maintained between the consumer and researcher; however, the Consumer and Community Liaison Officer is also available to facilitate any interactions and ensure an open line of communication between the researcher and consumer is maintained.

Poor understanding among researchers on effective consumer participation

Researchers that partake in the CCIP are required to attend training and workshops throughout their membership to ensure there is clear understanding and expectation of the role consumers have in their research.

Lack of consumer support and networks

This program has been built with multiple layers of communication to ensure consumers do not work in isolation. Points of contact include: the CCLO and support staff, an online network amongst fellow consumers and the CCAG, where issues can be escalated and monitored. Biannual evaluations will also be jointly developed and completed by consumers to assess their experience and involvement and to identify areas of improvement.

Lack of consumer interest/understanding of research project

A lay summary of the research project is provided to consumers to ascertain their interests. Once interest has been established, the researcher and consumer will meet (either face to face or via phone or zoom) to outline what the role entails and gives the opportunity for the consumer to seek further clarification about the project. The CCLO also monitors the frequency of interactions between researcher and consumer to ensure the consumer is satisfied with the support they are receiving and that the researcher is able to utilize the consumers’ skills and knowledge to their full capacity.