Patient Engagement Activities and Infrastructure Among US Veterans Affairs National Research Networks

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Patient Engagement
• Learning Health Systems

Background:

• Patient engagement is increasingly vital in learning health systems.
• Few studies have examined patient-engaged research facilitation in large healthcare organizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe patient engagement activities and infrastructure within seven national research networks funded by Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Systems Research (HSR).

Main Methods:

• Conducted an environmental scan including literature searches and qualitative interviews with VA HSR network representatives.
• Utilized thematic and content analysis to categorize engagement activities and considerations.

Main Results:

• Identified 129 engagement activities across three domains: facilitating research, network infrastructure, and partner relationships.
• Networks with patient engagement groups budgeted for staff and compensation, covering research and care projects.
• Five themes were essential for engagement infrastructure: supportive environment, team dynamics, group characteristics, flexibility, and efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Documented patient engagement activities and infrastructure in VA-funded research networks.
• Highlighted key considerations for developing and sustaining patient engagement infrastructure.
• Called for future research on the quality, outcomes, and costs of patient engagement services.