To develop research efforts that are grounded in day-to-day experiences of patients, Nasia Safdar, MD, PhD, associate professor, Infectious Disease, is partnering with patients and caregivers.

A study by Dr. Safdar, who serves as vice chair for research in the Department of Medicine, was highlighted by the Wisconsin Network for Research Support (WNRS). The project, which was funded by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Eugene Washington Engagement Award, involved two stakeholder groups to co-develop strategies and tactics for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

The effort involved creation of two stakeholder groups: one comprised of patients and caregivers who had experience with an HAI (the Patients Engaged in Education and Research or PEER Group), and another comprised of institutional stakeholders with expertise in HAI such as infection preventionists, public health leaders, healthcare quality professionals, researchers and clinicians.

The groups helped identify research priorities for HAI prevention, created a series of radio ads to raise awareness about wise use of antibiotics, co-authored scholarly publications, and served as patient ambassadors at a national conference.

"Perhaps the most important lesson we’ve learned is the critical role that the voice of experience adds to the research conversation. Whether it is the patient, family or caregiver, understanding the experiences of those who are impacted by research findings is essential to the research process," said Dr. Safdar.

Resources:

• "Spotlight on Engagement: Nasia Safdar," Wisconsin Network for Research Support, October 16, 2017

Photo caption: Dr. Nasia Safdar in her research laboratory. Credit: Clint Thayer/Department of Medicine