Partnering for Impact: Best Practices for Planning In-Person Academic Events with Patient Partners – Lessons Learned from Diabetes Action Canada

Health-related academic events that focus on patient-oriented research should prioritize the needs and interests of those most affected by its outcomes. Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) has hosted six in-person workshops over eight years, bringing together over 100 participants from research, healthcare delivery, government, non-profit organizations, and communities with lived experience of diabetes.This paper outlines key lessons and best practices from Diabetes Action Canada’s collaborative approach to workshop co-design with Patient Partners. For the 2024 workshop, a planning committee—primarily composed of Patient Partners—played a central role in shaping the agenda. Their contributions ensured active patient participation, addressed power imbalances, fostered inclusivity, and created supportive spaces. Strategies such as co-designed agendas, symbolic markers for patient-led presentations, and facilitated networking sessions effectively enhanced engagement.Evaluations highlighted the importance of equitable participation and multidisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing the scalability of DAC’s co-design principles for diverse research and healthcare contexts. These insights provide a foundation for inclusive, impactful, and patient-centered event planning.