Spearheaded by Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine’s (LKCMedicine's) Office of Patient Engagement (OPEN) at Nanyang Technological University, OPEN Voices provides a platform for the school’s educators and researchers to partner with patients and caregivers. The school actively engages with this key stakeholder group to inform, co-create, and deliver medical education and research program. Two patient partners set up OPEN Voices with the school team, and now the program comprises more than 50 (and growing) patient partners from all walks of life, medical conditions, ages, and ethnicities. Caregivers and healthy individuals are also represented. OPEN Voices was launched at the first Patient Voices Symposium in November 2024. Attended by more than 200 patient partners, educators, researchers, students, and healthcare professionals, the event featured keynotes, workshops, OPEN Voices Human Library (with 10 patient advocates), and panel discussions from local and global patient involvement experts. In less than a year, patients and caregivers are now able to collaborate with researchers, educators, and students and have partnered in 16 projects. Through OPEN Voices, LKCMedicine has embedded into the school ethos the importance of patient engagement in education and research.
From the Judges
We thought the context was very unique, but this project may need a longer time horizon to better articulate goals and outcomes. This program may have big effects for student education and giving down the line. We appreciated the focus on supporting research, as well as the collaboration with the advancement office for the betterment of science and research.
