A Tool for Patient Partner Development

Embedding Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) as a means for helping assure patient values and perspectives are reflected in clinical trials conduct has been a founding priority of the Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Network (3CTN). Our community of Patient Representatives guide and support trial activities locally at cancer centres and centrally through participation in Network governance, working groups and projects.

To better ensure the sustainability of 3CTN’s PPI framework, Patient Representatives identified a need for progressive learning goals and helping them access opportunities for meaningful patient engagement in research. With funding received from Pfizer, 3CTN developed the Patient Partner Learning Annex, a structured, patient-centred approach for developing knowledge of clinical research and trials. The development was co-led by two patient partners, Judy Needham and Don Wood, who provided leadership and guiding input as part of a dedicated project team drawn from our Network members.

“The Patient Partner Learning Annex has the potential to be a game changer for members of 3CTN’s Patient Representative Community as well as for others involved in patient engagement in research. They will benefit from a structured approach to developing clinical trials knowledge and competencies that will enhance the value of patient engagement.”

Don Wood

The Learning Annex is organized according to four knowledge areas and six areas of patient partner involvement. Topics are organized into core and advanced levels, allowing users to link with those that are of interest and best suited to their current level of knowledge. It features a user-friendly interface designed to support an individual’s learning goals by matching them to resources, education and training programs and connecting them to engagement opportunities. Researchers can use the tool to support onboarding, orientation, and knowledge development to benefit Patient Representatives contributing to trial initiatives, site operations and oversight committees.

This valuable resource will be used by 3CTN’s community of Patient Representatives, supported by research professionals at our 52 member cancer centres and will be shared with our network of collaborative research organizations and patient groups to encourage broader adoption.