EQUIPS is a network for those who ‘do’ research (e.g., academics), those who wish to use research (e.g., healthcare staff), and those whose care can benefit from research (e.g., patient partners). EQUIPS advocates for ‘co-design’, meaning all stakeholders are encouraged to work together in equal partnership, to achieve the aims of EQUIPS, and inform the research produced by the network.
This page outlines the types of stakeholders we aim to recruit to the network, and what they can expect from EQUIPS.
Stakeholder types:
We acknowledge not everyone will ‘fit’ into these terms and encourage anyone with an interest in Quality and Patient Safety research and improvement to get involved with EQUIPS as they deem appropriate. We strive for equal partnership between all stakeholder ‘types’.
- ‘Researchers’ or ‘Knowledge Generators’ – those individuals whose primary role involves conducting research and teaching, for example, in an academic institution or a healthcare setting.
- ‘Knowledge Users’ – this term refers to anyone who wishes to use the knowledge produced by members of the research network to inform their work or practice.
- Patient and Public Partners – this term, self-selected by the founding Patient Partner Advisory Group, refers to ‘patients, service users, carers, families using health and social care services,
people with lived experience of health conditions (who may or may not be current patients), patient advocacy organisations, and members of the public’ (HSE Research & Development, 2021).
What do members do?
- Collaborate on quality and patient safety initiatives of priority in the Irish healthcare context, including research funding applications.
- Share up-to-date resources from their networks to support capacity and capability in the network, including research and events
- Network with other researchers, knowledge users, and Patient and Public Partners to discuss priorities and solve challenges for QPS research in Ireland
- Advance the work programme by attending strand group, or research cluster meetings
Read more on our Get Involved page
What can members expect from EQUIPS?
The EQUIPS Research Network aims to provide information to members on Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) research matters, including on the website, by email communication, and by hosting events.
Registering interest in EQUIPS (www.tcd.ie/cihs/equips) automatically signs members up to receive information relevant to quality and patient safety research in Ireland.
EQUIPS also aims to act as a knowledge brokerage forum, bringing people together to collaborate on quality and patient safety research.
