Public Participation in Health Research: A Scientific and Ethical Imperative
Dr. Hamidreza Khankeh, an Iranian scholar in Emergency and Disaster Health and Head of the Center for Research on Health in Disasters at the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, addressed the challenges facing health research in Iran during the Knowledge Translator forum and outlined the strategic priorities for bridging the gap between science and society. He emphasized that health research achieves its greatest impact when conducted in collaboration with key stakeholders, stating that the participation of patients, caregivers, policymakers, and the general public in research processes is not merely an option, but a scientific and ethical imperative. He also noted that the systematic involvement of patients and the public in Iran’s health research is still in its early stages and lacks a clear framework.
Referring to international experience and the recommendations of organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNESCO, Dr. Khankeh added that involving the public in research decision making enables studies to move beyond a purely academic framework and align more closely with the real needs of society. According to him, this approach can enhance the quality, credibility, transparency, and applicability of research findings.As part of the forum, the Head of the Center for Research on Health in Disasters presented a policy brief and proposed seven strategic recommendations to strengthen Patient and Public Involvement.
He stated that the goal is to transform society from a passive consumer of knowledge into an active partner in its production. He further noted that implementing these recommendations requires political will at the highest managerial levels, along with the development of the necessary guidelines and legal frameworks to institutionalize this culture within the national health system.In his concluding remarks, Dr. Khankeh stressed that making research people centered builds a stronger bridge between academia and society. He noted that this transformation benefits not only patients, but also researchers and the broader scientific community, as it strengthens public trust in the health system and increases social capital. He expressed hope that, through informed and prudent decision making, Iran will move toward a future in which every citizen feels like a stakeholder in the country’s scientific achievements, as this is the best guarantee for the effectiveness and sustainability of research outcomes in the health sector.
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