The SEED Method for Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development: Promoting Patient-centered Outcomes Research through Engagement

• In Event: 334 - Section on Medical Sociology Paper Session. Patient, Stakeholder, and Community Engagement in Health Research

Abstract

The Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University conducted two field demonstrations of the SEED Method for Stakeholder Engagement in Question Development and Prioritization to develop a set of stakeholder developed research questions on: 1) factors affecting diet compliance among patients with diabetes and hypertension and 2) respiratory cancer outcomes. Patient-centered research aims to identify the topics, decisions and questions that are important to patients, caregivers and other stakeholders. The SEED Method was developed to collaboratively generate research questions based on three levels of engagement with stakeholders. These included a participatory research team that collaboratively led the project; three groups of stakeholders brought together based on their experience and knowledge of diabetes and hypertension (e.g., patients, health professionals, service providers, etc.); and subgroups of patients/stakeholders that participated in focus groups and interviews. Participants at each demonstration site reviewed data and engaged in group discussions; brainstormed and discussed potential determinants of the health outcome; sketched conceptual models of how the determinants are interrelated; proposed research questions; discussed patient-centered outcomes; and prioritized the research questions. Each of the stakeholder groups created a longer list of questions which they then prioritized to create the final research agenda. The research team did further research to refine and finalize the research question and develop a dissemination plan. The questions covered a range of areas, including health care services and quality, clinical and behavioral factors, social and psychological factors, and environmental and policy issues.

Author

• Emily Zimmerman, Virginia Commonwealth University