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Kogetsu A, Isono M, Aikyo T, Furuta J, Goto D, Hamakawa N, Hide M, Hori R, Ikeda N, Inoi K, Kawagoe N, Kubota T, Manabe S, Matsumura Y, Matsuyama K, Nakai T, Nakao I, Saito Y, Senoo M, Takahashi MP, Takeda T, Takei M, Tamai K, Tanaka A, Torashima Y, Tsuchida Y, Yamasaki C, Yamamoto BA, Kato K. Enhancing evidence-informed policymaking in medicine and healthcare: stakeholder involvement in the Commons Project for rare diseases in Japan. RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT 2023; 9:107. [PMID: 38031179 PMCID: PMC10685685 DOI: 10.1186/s40900-023-00515-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although stakeholder involvement in policymaking is attracting attention in the fields of medicine and healthcare, a practical methodology has not yet been established. Rare-disease policy, specifically research priority setting for the allocation of limited research resources, is an area where evidence generation through stakeholder involvement is expected to be effective. We generated evidence for rare-disease policymaking through stakeholder involvement and explored effective collaboration among stakeholders. METHODS We constructed a space called 'Evidence-generating Commons', where patients, family members, researchers, and former policymakers can share their knowledge and experiences and engage in continual deliberations on evidence generation. Ten rare diseases were consequently represented. In the 'Commons', 25 consecutive workshops were held predominantly online, from 2019 to 2021. These workshops focused on (1) clarification of difficulties faced by rare-disease patients, (2) development and selection of criteria for priority setting, and (3) priority setting through the application of the criteria. For the first step, an on-site workshop using sticky notes was held. The data were analysed based on KJ method. For the second and third steps, workshops on specific themes were held to build consensus. The workshop agendas and methods were modified based on participants' feedback. RESULTS The 'Commons' was established with 43 participants, resulting in positive effects such as capacity building, opportunities for interactions, mutual understanding, and empathy among the participants. The difficulties faced by patients with rare diseases were classified into 10 categories. Seven research topics were identified as priority issues to be addressed including 'impediments to daily life', 'financial burden', 'anxiety', and 'burden of hospital visits'. This was performed by synthesising the results of the application of the two criteria that were particularly important to strengthen future research on rare diseases. We also clarified high-priority research topics by using criteria valued more by patients and family members than by researchers and former policymakers, and criteria with specific perspectives. CONCLUSION We generated evidence for policymaking in the field of rare diseases. This study's insights into stakeholder involvement can enhance evidence-informed policymaking. We engaged in comprehensive discussions with policymakers regarding policy implementation and planned analysis of the participants' experiences in this project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kogetsu
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
| | - Moeko Isono
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Aikyo
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- School of Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Junichi Furuta
- Department of Medical Informatics and Management, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Dai Goto
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nao Hamakawa
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Michihiro Hide
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Japanese Society of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Family Net Committee, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Risa Hori
- Department of Dermatology, Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Noriko Ikeda
- Commons Project, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiko Inoi
- NPO Japan Marfan Association, Kuwana, Mie, Japan
| | - Naomi Kawagoe
- MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Family Association, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kubota
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shirou Manabe
- Department of Transformative System for Medical Information, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasushi Matsumura
- Osaka National Hospital, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Tomoko Nakai
- Japanese Huntington's Disease Network (JHDN), Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yuki Saito
- Commons Project, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Midori Senoo
- NPO Myotonic Dystrophy Patients' Group of Japan (DM-Family), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanori P Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Takeda
- Department of Medical Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Megumi Takei
- Japanese Society of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Family Net Committee, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Katsuto Tamai
- Department of Stem Cell Therapy Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akio Tanaka
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Torashima
- Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yuya Tsuchida
- NPO Myotonic Dystrophy Patients' Group of Japan (DM-Family), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chisato Yamasaki
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Center for Intractable Diseases and ImmunoGenomics (CiDIC), Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Beverley Anne Yamamoto
- HAEJ, Non-Profit Patient Organization for Hereditary Angioedema in Japan, Kakogawa, Hyogo, Japan
- HAEi, Non-Profit International Patient Organization for Hereditary Angioedema Registered in the US, Fairfax City, VA, USA
- Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.
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Katirai A, Kogetsu A, Kato K, Yamamoto B. Patient involvement in priority-setting for medical research: A mini review of initiatives in the rare disease field. Front Public Health 2022; 10:915438. [PMID: 35928485 PMCID: PMC9343727 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.915438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient involvement (PI) in determining medical research priorities is an important way to ensure that limited research funds are allocated to best serve patients. As a disease area for which research funds are limited, we see a particular utility for PI in priority-setting for medical research on rare diseases. In this review, we argue that PI initiatives are an important form of evidence for policymaking. We conducted a study to identify the extent to which PI initiatives are being conducted in the rare disease field, the features of such initiatives, the trends in the priorities elicited, and the extent to which translation into policy is reported in the academic literature. Here, we report the results of this exploratory review of the English-language literature gathered through online databases and search engines, with the aim of identifying journal articles published prior to December 2020, describing PI initiatives focused on determining priorities for medical research funding in the rare disease field. We identified seven recently-published articles and found that the majority made use of structured methodologies to ensure the robustness of the evidence produced, but found little reported practical implementation or concrete plans for implementation of the results of the initiatives. We conclude that priority-setting initiatives are meaningful mechanisms for involving patients in determining research directions. However, we highlight the importance of translation into policy as a necessary next step to fully utilize the results and move beyond well-intentioned exercises. Finally, we draw attention to the benefits of involving patients throughout this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Katirai
- Department of Kyosei Studies (Critical Studies in Coexistence, Symbiosis and Conviviality), Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kogetsu
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Beverley Yamamoto
- Department of Kyosei Studies (Critical Studies in Coexistence, Symbiosis and Conviviality), Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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Kogetsu A, Kato K. Framework and Practical Guidance for the Ethical Use of Electronic Methods for Communication With Participants in Medical Research. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e33167. [PMID: 35442208 PMCID: PMC9069285 DOI: 10.2196/33167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Online communication with participants, including online recruitment, electronic informed consent, and data communication, is one of the fields to which information and communication technology (ICT) has been applied in medical research. Online communication provides various benefits, especially for genome research and rare disease research. However, ethical challenges that are derived from or exacerbated by online communication need to be addressed. Here, we present an overview of such ethical issues and provide practical guidance for the ethical implementation of ICT. We specify the ethical issues in the context of using online communication for medical research by an analysis based on the eight ethical principles for clinical research. Informed by this ethical context, we then develop a novel framework for the governance of medical research involving ICT, which consists of eight categories: five research processes (ie, design of research, recruitment, informed consent, data communication, and dissemination and return of results) and three overarching perspectives related to multiple processes of research (ie, access to research and online dialog, community involvement, and independent review). Finally, we present a practical guidance chart for researchers, patient partners, independent reviewers, and funding agencies. We believe that our study will contribute to the ethical implementation of online communication in medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Kogetsu
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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