2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P2.16F.02 LIFE Project: Lung Cancer Patients' Involvement in Research Fostering Their Empowerment

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The LIFE Project emphasizes the involvement of lung cancer patients in research to empower them and enhance the quality and relevance of clinical studies. By integrating patients into every stage of the research process, the project fosters ethical, patient-centered studies that benefit both patients and healthcare professionals. It highlights the increasing significance of cancer patients in bridging research, care, and survivorship to advance ultimate goals of cure and care.<br /><br />Key components driven by patient-professional cooperation include the design of research, obtaining informed consent, and disseminating results. The project’s approach involves qualitative research methods such as Metaplan technique workshops conducted at the Catalan Institute of Oncology, engaging lung cancer patients and healthcare professionals to explore the benefits, challenges, and required skills for patient participation.<br /><br />Workshops identified crucial training aspects, including knowledge of the disease, communication, teamwork, clinical research processes, and decision-making skills. Moreover, external factors like patient advocacy, family associations, and "Expert Patient" initiatives are crucial for supporting patient collaboration.<br /><br />The project findings support a participative research model where patients actively contribute, influencing a shift towards more inclusive lung cancer studies. Future research directions aim to address identified concerns, enhance patient literacy, and promote patient leadership in clinical studies.<br /><br />Through this project, the joint effort of 8 lung cancer patients, 7 healthcare professionals, and supporting organizations such as AEACAP and Unió Consorci Formació, funded by Pfizer and Stanford Medicine grants, demonstrates the viable potential of patient empowerment in clinical research, advocating for a larger role for patients in conducting studies that genuinely address and prioritize their needs.

Asset Subtitle

Bernard Gaspar

Meta Tag

Speaker Bernard Gaspar

Topic Patient Advocacy

Keywords

LIFE Project

lung cancer

patient empowerment

clinical research

patient-centered studies

Metaplan technique

patient advocacy

participative research

patient literacy

healthcare collaboration