The Bureau of Sages: Incorporating Older Adult Voice into Meaningful Research.

TitleThe Bureau of Sages: Incorporating Older Adult Voice into Meaningful Research.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsEisenstein, AR, Milstein, L, Johnson, R, Berman, R
JournalProg Community Health Partnersh
Volume14
Issue3
Pagination359-370
Date Published2020
ISSN1557-055X
KeywordsAdvisory Committees, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Community-Based Participatory Research, Comparative Effectiveness Research, Female, Humans, Independent Living, Information Dissemination, Male, Patient Outcome Assessment, Research Design, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Stakeholder Participation
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Older adults receiving long-term care are often excluded from the design, development, and implementation of health-related research. The project aimed to create, implement and evaluate a sustainable research advisory board consisting of researchers, clinicians, and older adults living at home or in a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

METHODS: To initiate Bureau development, 15 older adults, researchers, and clinicians came together to engage in research. In meetings and retreats, stakeholders mutually developed group procedures, roles, and values. Process evaluation focused on stakeholder experiences, development of the Bureau, and its impact.

RESULTS: Trained Sages were able to offer meaningful input to researchers and present their own proposal at a conference. Lessons learned centered around continuously seeking feedback from participants, emphasizing co-learning, adapting to virtual engagement, and remaining flexible in structure and content of meetings.

CONCLUSIONS: Results can inform future development of research advisory boards of older adult populations.

DOI10.1353/cpr.2020.0041
Alternate JournalProg Community Health Partnersh
PubMed ID33416611