Empowering the voices of patients, carers, and the community to transform hospital care for older Australians through collaborative research partnerships.
The Evaluating Quality Care (eQC) Patient and Carer Advisory Board brings together a range of expertise in the delivery of quality healthcare in Australian hospitals and the community. Our members include researchers, healthcare providers, educators, and, most importantly, people with lived experience of dementia, cognitive impairment, and chronic illness. The primary aim of the Board is to provide a community voice in health-related research with a particular focus on improving the quality-of-service delivery to community members who live with some form of cognitive impairment.
Research into dementia care is particularly significant given Australia's ageing population. As the number of older adults increases, so does the prevalence of dementia, which poses significant challenges for healthcare systems. Investing in dementia research is essential to develop effective prevention strategies, early detection methods, and innovative care approaches. These can enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and support their families. It also enables policymakers to make informed decisions and allocate resources appropriately to address the growing needs of an ageing population affected by dementia.
Patient and public involvement is when members of the public are involved in research as partners rather than participants, working together with researchers to set research priorities, improve methodology, and ultimately improve the usefulness and relevance of outcomes delivered for the community. Public involvement in dementia healthcare research is crucial as it brings unique perspectives and lived experiences to the table which researchers lack. By involving those directly affected by dementia, researchers can better understand the challenges faced by patients, care partners, and the wider community. This involvement ensures that research priorities align with the real needs of those affected, leading to more relevant and patient-centred studies. Additionally, it promotes openness in the research process, holds researchers responsible, and includes diverse voices. This approach empowers individuals and improves the overall quality and impact of dementia research.
The Board is passionate about improving the overall hospital experience for patients and care partners, aligning research and care with the perspectives and needs of those who utilize these services. The Board offers an ‘experience expert’ perspective across various healthcare research domains where the experiences of patients and care partners play a vital role.