Rural Health Consumer Panel
The Rural Health Consumer Panel is the first and only Australian consumer health panel with a dedicated focus on the lived experiences of rural health consumers. The panel was launched by the Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research in May 2022.
The Rural Health Consumer Panel assists researchers in gaining a deeper understanding of the health issues affecting rural and regional Australians. Panel members work with researchers to develop solutions to improve health and wellbeing.
The lived experience and wisdom of rural people is front and centre of research initiatives addressing rural health inequity, guiding where and how research can make a difference.
BECOME A RURAL HEALTH CONSUMER PANEL MEMBER
You can join the Rural Health Consumer Panel if you:
- Live in rural or regional Australia.
- Are aged 18 years or over.
- Have had interactions with health care providers, or care for someone who receives health care.
- This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a better understanding of the unique health and wellbeing challenges of people living in rural and regional areas.
- Participating in the panel will ensure regional and rural people are proactively and systematically involved in health care research of relevance to you and your local community.
- It is hoped that consumer-driven approaches to health care will drive innovation in health service design and delivery to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in rural areas.
Panel members will:
- Complete two on-line surveys each year to share your experiences of rural and regional health.
- Have the opportunity to be involved in a range of activities e.g., co-design of research projects, webinars, discussions, health and wellbeing activities.
- To join the panel, you can register here
- For questions or queries, email ruralpanel@latrobe.edu.au
RESEARCHERS
PANEL DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERS AND PARTNERS
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PANEL
The Rural Health Consumer Panel has been modelled on an exemplar consumer panel that has been effective for over 30 years developed by the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel). We are collaborating closely with researchers from Nivel in the development of the Rural Health Consumer Panel.
The governance structure for the Rural Health Consumer Panel includes the Research Team, Advisory Committee and 4 key work streams.
The Rural Health Consumer Panel Advisory Committee meets quarterly to:
- Advise on the strategic direction and activities of the Rural Health Consumer Panel.
- Promote consumer involvement and engagement and partnerships in the Rural Health Consumer Panel.
- Advise how the Rural Health Consumer Panel is meeting its aim to be diverse, equitable and inclusive.
- Make recommendations on the long-term sustainability of the Rural Health Consumer Panel.
Membership of the Advisory Committee includes Rural health consumers, Sunraysia Community Health Services, Nexus Primary Health, Murray Primary Health Network, Consumers Health Forum of Australia, National Rural Health Alliance, Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, La Trobe University.
WHO ARE THE CURRENT PANEL MEMBERS?
As of February 2024, we have 191 panel members ranging in age from 18 to 83 years. The panel has a higher proportion of females, people born in Australia and currently living in Victoria. Panel members are more likely to be university educated, employed and earning more income than the average rural consumer.
WHAT ARE THEY TELLING US?
PARTNER WITH US
A critical ingredient to the long-term impact of the panel is the collaborative partnerships we have and wish to foster. We are interested to work together to codesign research initiatives that facilitate meaningful, practical and relevant collaborations between consumers, rural health services, academic institutions and industry partners. Currently we offer collaborators the opportunity to engage in our consumer platform activities where rural health consumers explore topics of relevance with local health service providers and researchers to inform service delivery and future consumer-led research.
CONNECT WITH US
If you would like to know more, or join us as a partner, or help us recruit panel members, we would love to hear from you.
Email: ruralpanel@latrobe.edu.au