Evaluation of the Diabetes Action Canada (DAC) Research-To-Action Fellowship Program for Patient Partners: A Multi-Method Case Study.

The objective of our study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and early impacts of the inaugural Research-to-Action Fellowship Program (FP) on patient partnership and knowledge mobilization (KM) practice within a diabetes research network. The FP is a patient-partner-centric initiative co-designed by patient partners, FP interest holders and implementers to build capacity in KM. Fellows receive mentorship, training, and financial support to co-design and disseminate KM products with community-based partner organizations. A formative, multi-method case study using surveys, focus groups, and interviews was conducted with patient-partner fellows, partner-organization representatives, and program implementers. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively; qualitative data were examined using directed content analysis. Fifteen of 16 invited participants contributed data. Fellows reported perceived gains in KM-related knowledge, clarity of roles, support, collaboration, and community engagement. Qualitative themes highlighted the value of paid, leadership-based roles for patient partners, dyad structures, strong relational infrastructure, and iterative adaptation. Overall, our study showed that a patient-partner-led KM fellowship was perceived as feasible and acceptable, and as a means of building capacity for more meaningful patient partnership.