Stories from our Consumer Network
Have you ever wanted to have your voice heard and make a difference to health research? Hear from a consumer member and one of our researchers on how and why they decided to get involved in our Consumer Network.
The IPAN Consumer Network brings people from all different backgrounds and experiences together with researchers who are working to find solutions to many of today’s health challenges.
The growing network is a testament to how co-design and mutual respect can shape better research outcomes.
Here, a consumer member and an IPAN research member share their perspectives on the rewards and impact of working side-by-side on meaningful research that reflects community needs.
Lyn, Consumer member working on IPAN’s SMART Heart project:
Lyn’s journey with health failure has given her valuable insights and a crucial role in the SMART Heart project. As steering group member, Lyn works alongside the research team to ensure the needs of those with heart failure are considered throughout each stage of the research.
Here, Lyn explains why she got involved in the SMART Heart project:
“Before retiring, I was a registered nurse and midwife in community health, with a deep interest in preventative health and patient education. However, my own health journey took an unexpected turn when I caught whooping cough, leading to a late diagnosis of an immune deficiency. This diagnosis resulted in lung disease and then heart disease.
“Determined to manage my health independently, I became proactive in finding ways to avoid long hospital stays – a sentiment that has made the SMART Heart project meaningful to me. Long hospital stays are tough – not just for patients, but for families too. Managing my health from home gives me a sense of control and direction. That’s why I was drawn to this research – anything that helps people stay at home while receiving safe, effective care, is worth supporting.”
Dr Priscila Machado, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University
Dr Machado engaged with the IPAN Consumer Network as part of a project funded by a National Heart Foundation of Australia Vanguard grant* in 2024: ‘A communication framework to increase consumer understanding of ultra-processed foods in Australia’
“Collaborating with consumers from the IPAN Consumer Network has been my first experience with involving the public in my research. My work explores how well people understand ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their impacts on health and the environment. Given this focus, engaging consumers in developing a communications framework to enhance awareness of UPFs, felt like a natural and essential step.
“The consumer contributions have been invaluable, particularly in shaping a questionnaire and crafting messages on UPFs for our study. Our consumers have provided insightful feedback on the understanding of terminology such as packaged food, canned, mass-produced and handmade. They have also influenced aspects like overall survey length, structure and suggested additional survey questions and the inclusion of an explanatory video.
“I look forward to continuing this collaboration as we seek consumer input into the development of a comprehensive toolkit, including infographics and videos.”
*Award reference number 107268
