524 How Can I Provide My Patient Insights in a Nontraditional Advocacy Role?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The goal of our multi-institutional team is in our name Holistic Electrical, ultrasonic and Physiological Interventions Unburdening those with Spinal cord injury†(HEPIUS) Lab. Officially, I am a Ph.D. researcher, but the team has empowered me to share insights from being a former spinal cord patient myself – creating a more direct feedback loop. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Human-centered design is a method growing in popularity due to its impact on outcomes. Any translational project aspires to utilize some level of patient perspective. Our team has taken several initiatives to make this a part of our core. The team has a dedicated advisor who suffered a spinal cord injury and underwent the current standard of care. There are also non-traditional and unofficial advocates (like myself) on the team. Although I am fully recovered today without any symptoms from a different spinal cord complication, the team equips me with the time and support needed to share my experiences in clinic. The team gives me the opportunity to champion for the most appropriate approaches during official meetings and periodically in the lab whenever a question arises. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In this poster we aim to discuss the following points: 1.) Team Culture: Those with patient insights will only share if there is an established healthy culture. 2.) Privacy: Just because someone advocates on the behalf of patients does not mean that they need to divulge personal information 3.) Workflow Structure: Sharing patient insight only reaches as far as the organization permits. Thankfully, my team is open to member perspectives and has benefited from several insights already 4.) The art of listening: Patient insights should be listened to and treated with respect, but not as an undebatable suggestion 5.) Rewarding aspects: Sharing patient insights is a very rewarding experience if you feel comfortable enough to share. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Translational teams often rely on statistics, one-time patient interviews, or dedicated individuals in an advocacy role to help guide the project. This poster is intended to highlight some new ways to practice engagement of patient perspectives, while introducing the intricacies of fostering healthy cultures which promote these voices.