When it comes to patient-oriented research, engagement matters! But how can we be sure that engagement, whether with Patient Partners or Indigenous Communities, is a priority in projects and on research teams? SCPOR has worked with our Patient Partners and partner organizations to develop two tools that can help measure the level of engagement being planned in patient-oriented research projects: the Patient-Oriented Research Level of Engagement Tool (PORLET) and the Indigenous Research Level of Engagement Tool (IRLET). Keep reading or watch the video to learn more about these tools and how you can use them!
The Patient-Oriented Research Level of Engagement Tool (PORLET) was created with Patient Partners to provide a standard set of criteria for determining the level of Patient Partner engagement on patient-oriented research teams. We have recently made updates to the PORLET based on feedback collected when assessing the validity of the tool, which resulted in a new and enhanced PORLET 2.0!
The PORLET is a simple way to consistently and fairly measure patient engagement. It is useful when writing grant applications, reviewing grants or abstracts and training those new to patient-oriented research.
The Indigenous Research Level of Engagement Tool (IRLET) measures the degree to which a given project meets patient-oriented research criteria in the context of Indigenous communities. The criteria evaluated in this tool include Partnership (Indigenous Stakeholders), Knowledge into Practice, Strengths-Based Approach, and Indigenous Knowledges/Ways of Knowing.
IRLET Online Training is now available through First Nations University of Canada! This training opportunity is free of charge for anyone interested in using the IRLET. The IRLET training module ensures that users of the IRLET are able to consistently score a project and evaluate whether an Indigenous research project is being conducted in a good way that will be beneficial to both the researcher and the Indigenous community partners and stakeholders. IRLET Online Training can be found here.
Escape INTO Patient-Oriented Research (POR):
A Virtual Escape Room Collaboration
SCPOR, together with Saskatchewan Long-term Care Network and supported by the University of Saskatchewan Health Sciences Interprofessional Education presents the SCPOR Patient-Oriented Research Escape Room - an online, interactive learning experience for individuals interested in patient-oriented health research. It is increasingly important for health disciplines to work together to offer optimal patient care, especially in complex situations. Similarly it is increasingly important that multi-disciplinary health research teams, which include Patient Partners, work together to better the healthcare system. Escape rooms are an ideal mechanism to promote health care practitioners to work together, as well as ensuring Patient-Oriented Research teams engage Patient Partners as co-investigators. The SCPOR Patient-Oriented Research Escape Room provides attendees with an introduction to key terms, definitions, multiple examples and scenarios of strong patient-oriented.
PORLET Tips & Examples
The following videos will provide you with some tips on how and when to use the PORLET and an example of a team working with the PORLET.
PORLET tips from Patient Partner Reviewers
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Learn how the PORLET can help you write stronger patient-oriented research proposals
This activity provides writing prompts guided by PORLET criteria alongside an interactive example proposal. This example aims to help researchers and students learn more about patient-oriented research and the qualities of strong patient-oriented research proposals.
How has the PORLET helped others?
When we asked for a tool to rank grants fairly and consistently, SCPOR immediately formed a working group, which led to the PORLET. We expressed a need and they came through. I was happy to be on the working group because I felt my concerns were addressed, and I was an equal member of the team.
The part I find very validating is that I’ve seen the grant quality improve. It’s not strictly because of the PORLET, but it’s helped. Applicants have taken more training, used the PORLET and have had better experiences working with patients - they’ve found out patients can do more than they thought they could!
- Janet Gunderson, Patient Partner
As a student, the PORLET has helped improve my understanding of patient-oriented research and how to apply it to my master’s thesis research. I found the PORLET to be extremely useful when onboarding Patient Partners and stakeholders to the research team. Using the PORLET helped set expectations for the roles and responsibilities of research team members; for example, we determined that scoring a “5” on a column of the PORLET may not be attainable due to Patient Partners’ and stakeholders’ external commitments and finite resources. Moreover, traditional methods for facilitating patient and stakeholder engagement were challenging to implement due to the social distancing measures in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the PORLET as a reference, we worked together to determine engagement goals that we felt were attainable, practical, and representative of the strengths of all members in the research team.
- Maria Cruz, Trainee and former SCPOR team member
Have you tried the PORLET 2.0 or the IRLET? We’d love to hear about your experience - let us know what worked well and where we can improve. Email scpor@usask.ca with your PORLET feedback