This tool was developed by participants in the Family Engagement in Research (FER) course in 2024 by Anna Urbanowicz, Jodi Adams, Alison McIvor, Willeke Walsh, and Ingrid Sutherland.

This Knowledge Translation (KT) Tool – is called ‘Self-Care Essentials for Research Teams.’

It is an information kit that helps those participating in clinical research projects to prioritise their self-care. This includes lived experience advisors, researchers and clinicians.

The aim is to ensure participants feel supported throughout the project, maximise participant health and well-being and increase participant engagement on projects.

The information kit includes:

• A podcast (in video format) on the topic of the importance of self-care for participants in clinical research projects which explores why self-care is important, whether it is included in projects now or whether there is a gap, as well as some tips and strategies that our group uses for self-care. (A closed captions file for the podcast and transcript word document of the podcast are also included)
• An Acknowledgement of Lived Experience slideshow slide that can be used as part of clinical research project meetings, so that those with lived experience feel their experience is acknowledged and valued
• A Self-care Plan to enable team members to prioritise their self-care during a project
• A Word Cloud that can be used as a thought starter for discussion within the meeting environment, and highlights why our group feels self-care is important
• An infographic that can also be used as a thought starter for discussion, and highlights some of the tips and strategies our groups uses for self-care outside the meeting environment
• A document including ALT Text to support the Word Cloud and Infographic are also included.