Arthritis Research Canada Study Highlights the Importance of Recognizing Diverse Roles and Identities in Health Research
Vancouver (December 12, 2025) – A new commentary published in BMJ Open, led by Arthritis Research Canada trainee Ellen Wang, sheds light on an important phenomenon in health research. Specifically, how the multiple identities of patients and public, researchers, and clinicians shape research partnerships. The commentary challenges traditional role boundaries to ask whether patients and the public can also serve as academics or clinicians, and vice versa.
In recent years, health research has shifted toward a more collaborative approach. Patients and the public are no longer passive recipients of health care. Rather, they are increasingly recognized as active and valued partners in shaping research studies from start to finish. Many funding agencies and scientific journals now encourage or even require the involvement of patients and public on research teams.
“Our work shows that meaningful research happens when we recognize that people often hold more than one identity,” says Wang.
“Patients may also be researchers or clinicians, and researchers may have lived experience as patients or caregiver. We wish to highlight that having a mixed identity is, in itself, an identity.”
The study also notes that patients and the public can have different levels of readiness and capacity to engage in research. Some may want take part in decision-making while others might prefer to serve in an advisory or consultant role. Research teams should provide flexible and supportive opportunities to meet patients and the public along their journey.
Ultimately, this work emphasizes the value of breaking down traditional role boundaries and the importance of respect for diverse identities to foster more effective collaboration in health research.
“Each of us brings a unique perspective to our work; we are all researchers and are all accountable for producing quality research that contributes to the body of evidence.”
Read the full study here.
