You do not need to have any qualifications, skills or pre-existing knowledge to be a consumer in research. The modules will help you gain skills and knowledge to work with researchers.
There are many types of research and topics. There will likely be something you are interested in. Some projects may be more relevant to your interest and experience than others. Your existing skills from previous work, current work, life experience, and the modules will help you prepare.
Skills that will be helpful:
- Experience either as a patient and/or caregiver is valuable to the research team.
- Willingness to share, reflect, and communicate your thoughts to the team.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
- Time and commitment to attend meetings and read documents.
- You will have other skills you will bring to the project, not just your experience with kidney disease.
- Patients are the experts of their own experience. Different experiences, such as from men and women, different ages and cultural backgrounds, bring new view to the team.