Patient Advisory Committee Engagement in a Precision Medicine-Focused Public Oncology Conference: Case Report of Lessons Learned.

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Public partnerships, engagement, and outreach are essential for meaningful knowledge dissemination and exchange activities in public settings. In 2024, we formed the Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee (ACC PAC). In March 2025, the ACC PAC delivered a successful public conference on precision medicine and cancer. Our primary objective is to share the perspectives gained, lessons learnt, impact of the event, and recommendations for future public conferences and engagement.

Methods: Conference topics were identified by the ACC PAC. Speaker selection and conference promotion were done using various approaches and/or tools. The WebEx virtual platform was used to deliver the conference. This conference was open to all members of the public. A participant satisfaction survey was created using Qualtrics and distributed to registrants during and after the conference. Survey responses were summarized using descriptive statistics when appropriate. ACC PAC members who participated in the conference were encouraged to reflect on their experience.

Results: The ACC PAC patient advisors were involved in all key aspects of this conference's organization and delivery. A total of 24 speakers spoke during the conference on various cancer and patient-centered topics. Comments received and self-reflection exercise responses indicated a high level of impact and satisfaction associated with the content and delivery of the conference. Issues experienced, opportunities realized, and good practices implemented, as well as the feedback received helped us develop recommendations for improved delivery of future public conferences and better public engagement activities.

Conclusions: In this Case Report, we discuss our learnings from a public conference that was designed and delivered by a public-scientist partnership. Overall, we were able to organize and deliver a successful public conference on precision medicine and cancer, yet there is still room for improvement in practical and technical areas. Our experience, self-reflection, and participant feedback that are described in this manuscript can help inform future public engagement and conference activities in Canada and beyond. Last, we ask decision-makers, such as governments, to provide sustained support for public partnerships and engagement in oncology.Public SummaryThe Atlantic Cancer Consortium Patient Advisory Committee (ACC PAC) is a patient - scientist partnership in Atlantic Canada focusing on precision medicine and cancer, advising the ACC researchers in research and public engagement activities, and actively working to engage with Atlantic Canadians in knowledge dissemination.This group organized and delivered a one-day public conference on March 15, 2025. Topics included patient and family perspectives, precision medicine, cancer risk factors and screening programs, support services offered to cancer-affected individuals, clinical trials, and advocacy. The conference was open to all members of the public. Overall, this was an impactful event centred on patient and family priorities, experiences, as well as on information and support needs.During and after the organization and delivery of this public event, we learnt by experience and from speaker and participant feedback. In this Case Report, we discuss these perspectives, lessons learnt, impact of the event, and recommendations for future public conferences. We also ask for sustained support and emphasis on public partnerships and engagement on cancer from decision-makers.