Table 3.

Reported benefits and challenges of patient engagement (n=32).

Benefits	Studies
A mutual learning opportunity [R/P]	16
Patient engagement facilitates patient partner understanding and interest in basic science research
Patient partners can improve researcher understanding of the real-life priorities and impact of their work
An opportunity to build new skills, knowledge, interests, and perspectives [R/P]	13
Engagement experiences can inform and broaden perspectives of researchers
Engaging a diverse patient partner group provides a greater understanding of diverse experiences
Patient partner input can improve study quality and efficiency [R/P]	9
Patient engagement informs the research question, study methodology, and future research by fostering important discussions
Patient partners can play an important role in disseminating research findings
Improves communication with the public and strengthens the research through trust [R/P]	8
Encourages a sense of partnership (between patients and researchers) and improves patient partner trust of the research community
Increases self-confidence and the impact of the patient voice
May increase trainee recruitment/retention, external collaboration, and recruitment [R]	5
There is potential to create external partnerships that are rare for professional engagements
Improved trainee retention by renewing interest in the real-life implications of their research
Challenges	Studies
Differences in research knowledge and experience between research and patient partner populations might affect the quality of research and limit meaningful engagement [R/P]	3
Patient partners have difficulties connecting with future innovations
Engaging few patient partners can limit diverse perspectives	1

Abbreviations: R and P denote themes that pertain to researchers and patient partners, respectively.