Comparing consultative versus collaborative ways patients, clinicians, and the public partner with health teams.
Participatory Approach to Qualitative Research (PAQ): Comparing Two Methods of Engaging Stakeholders in Qualitative Research
This project will test whether a consultative or a collaborative way of involving patients, care partners, clinicians, and community members leads to better engagement and trust when they work with research teams on qualitative projects about pediatric mental health, cancer screening, and serious illness.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 136 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hanover, New Hampshire and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06838689 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a stratified randomized trial that assigns patient, public, and clinician involvement (PPCI) participants to either a Consultative or a Collaborative approach while they work on one of three real qualitative interview projects (pediatric mental health, cancer screening, or serious illness). Participants will be engaged across study stages including design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination using detailed guides for each PPCI approach. The trial measures partner-reported outcomes such as engagement, trust, and patient-centeredness of the research. The investigators hypothesize the Collaborative approach will yield higher engagement, trust, and patient-centeredness, particularly among historically underrepresented groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who can communicate in English, are able to use a computer or smartphone, and who have lived experience or professional roles relevant to pediatric mental health, cancer screening, or serious illness (including patients, care partners, clinicians, teachers, and community members) are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children below the age thresholds, people who cannot communicate in English, those unable to provide consent or to use a computer or smartphone, and prisoners are not eligible and unlikely to receive benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could make health research more patient-centered and trustworthy so study results better reflect the needs and experiences of diverse communities.
How similar studies have performed: According to the investigators, this appears to be the first randomized trial comparing PPCI approaches, with prior support coming mainly from theory and observational or non-randomized work.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria \& Exclusion criteria across three sub-specialties: Pediatric mental health Inclusion: * Adults aged ≥18 years * Can communicate in English * Able to take part in research activities via a computer or a smartphone * Patients, care partners, clinicians, other healthcare professionals, teachers and school staff, health policy experts, and community members * Has lived experience or professional expertise relating to pediatric mental health Exclusion: * Children \<18 years * Cannot communicate in English * Adults unable to provide verbal consent * Prisoners * Unable to take part in research activities via a computer or a smartphone Generalized cancer screening Inclusion: * Adults aged ≥21 years * Can communicate in English * Able to take part in research activities via a computer or a smartphone * Patients, care partners, clinicians, other healthcare professionals, health policy experts, and community members * Is eligible for population-based cancer screening tests (breast, prostate, cervical, colorectal cancer), or has lived experience or professional expertise relating to generalized cancer screening Exclusion: * Children \<18 years * Cannot communicate in English * Adults unable to provide verbal consent * Prisoners * Unable to take part in research activities via a computer or a smartphone Serious illness experience Inclusion: * Adults aged ≥18 years * Can communicate in English * Able to take part in research activities via a computer or a smartphone * Patients, care partners, clinicians, other healthcare professionals, health policy experts, and community members * Has lived experience or professional expertise relating to serious illness (defined as "a health condition that carries a high risk of mortality and either negatively impacts a person's daily functioning or quality of life or excessively strains his or her caregivers." Exclusion: * Children \<18 years * Cannot communicate in English * Adults unable to provide verbal consent * Prisoners * Unable to take part in research activities via a computer or a smartphone Note: We will not specifically exclude pregnant women, so they may be included incidentally.
Where this trial is running
Hanover, New Hampshire and 1 other locations
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth — Hanover, New Hampshire, United States (Recruiting)
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center — Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Catherine Saunders, Assistant Professor of Medicine, PhD, MPH
- Email: Catherine.Hylas.Saunders@dartmouth.edu
- Phone: 603-650-5402
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.