Moving beyond tokenism: Past, present and the future of consumer engagement in kidney disease research

In September 2016, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Consumer Health Forum of Australia released a Statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research. The purpose of the document is to guide research institutions, researchers, consumers and community members in the active involvement of consumers and community members in all aspects of health and medical research. They define ‘consumers’ as patients, potential patients, carers and people who use healthcare services. This significant document by the NHMRC recognises that involving consumers and community members adds value to health and medical research, and that they have a right and responsibility to do so.