Episode 18: Family Engagement In Research (FER) is not as hairy as it sounds!
In this episode, hosts Haley, Tram, and Jen discuss family engagement in medical research at Gillette Children's Hospital, with guest Dr. Rhonda Cady, a research scientist, and mentor to Haley. Rhonda explains the concept of Family Engagement in Research (FER), emphasizing the need to include families and individuals with lived experiences in the research design process. They discuss the benefits, challenges, and the impact of involving Lived Experience Partners in medical research. The episode underscores the significance of utilizing the expertise of those directly affected by medical conditions to improve and shape future research and healthcare services.
Have you ever thought, I wish I could use my lived experience to help others?
You don’t have to know anything about medical research to qualify, your lived experience with yourself or your medically complex child auto-qualifies you to give valuable insight to inform and help design medical research. If matched to a project, Gillette will train you to have an equal seat at the table and form authentic relationships while engaging with researchers and clinicians to help make research better!
Getting Involved in FER as a person with lived experiences will connect you with researchers, scientists, and other medical personnel on the cutting edge of medical research. And as a bonus you’ll meet and collaborate with others living with a similar medical condition. If you’re interested in Gillette’s program, please fill out this contact info form that will be sent directly to Haley and prompt her to give you a call.
If you want to REALLY prepare yourself to do this work, you can sign up for a 10-week FER course microcredential from McMaster university in Canada. This is not required for working at Gillette, but is highly recommended. The course is FREE for Lived Experience Partners or patients.
Resources
Learn more about FER @ Gillette Children’s
Changing Spaces Campaign Map https://www.changingspacescampaign.com/map
Special thanks to:
Rhonda Cady, PhD, RN
Eli Brunelle for Intro and outro Music "New Love"
Todd Piper Hauswirth at All-Good for logo and brand identity
Emily Rodvold at Lift Creative for Web Design and Development