Facilitator: David Price
Patricia Martínez Galisteo, Paula Pastor Andrés, Dámaso Moreno Ramírez, Isabel García Soler and Andrea Carbonell Pastor, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), Valencia, Spain.
Facing citizen science adoption in the healthcare environment: Insights and experiences from a Health Research Performing Organization overview
is a Research Performing Organization advancing R&D in the Valencia Healthcare Sector, with its Open Science Unit driving a Citizen Science Strategy to engage the public in research. This talk will present FISABIO’s roadmap for citizen science adoption, highlighting key challenges, practical recommendations, and lessons learned. It will explore strategies for motivating researchers and citizens, building support services, and reinforcing skills for effective participation. The session aims to provide practical insights for organizations developing similar strategies, fostering collaboration between science and society. Aligned with multiple conference themes, it offers real-world experiences to guide stakeholder involvement and capacity building in citizen science.
Croia Loughnane, Padraic J. Dunne and Roisin O’Donovan, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Tackling the Noncommunicable Diseases Burden Locally with a Digital Community Health Coaching Programme: Findings from RCSI Connect5
In response to the global noncommunicable disease (NCD) epidemic, there is an increasing focus on community-based solutions for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, and chronic pain. These solutions prioritize prevention and health promotion over treatment, aiming to improve overall well-being and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
The RCSI Connect5 project evaluates a digital, community-based Positive Health Coaching (PHC) intervention, where residents access coaching sessions, weekly check-ins, and educational content remotely. Results showed significant improvements in participants’ health and well-being, with positive feedback on their lifestyle and mindset changes. However, technological issues with the digital platform were a barrier to engagement.
These findings highlight the potential of digital PHC as an accessible, scalable solution to combat NCDs, provided technological challenges are addressed for smoother implementation.
Irene Lapuente Aguilar, Blanca Orell Daniel and Dídac Roger Homs, La Mandarina de Newton
Being heard and listened to in Health: a gender perspective
A significant 93.3% of women would postpone or reject induction during childbirth if given the choice again, highlighting a gap in obstetric care where emotional risks are often overlooked. Obstetricians, who typically do not engage with mothers after delivery, have not fully listened to women’s concerns, and data on mental health is lacking. Historically, women have been underrepresented in health research, but the OBCOE citizen science approach has helped make the process more inclusive.
OBCOE aims to explore how obstetric practices impact mothers’ mental health and improve childbirth experiences. The project includes workshops, a survey of 400+ women, and a protocol for postpartum meetings between mothers and professionals. By bringing together two often-disconnected communities—those seeking to be heard and those not always trained to listen—OBCOE fosters a more empathetic, co-designed approach to improving maternal care.