Members of STRATA-FIT’s Patient Advisory Panel recently travelled to Brussels, Belgium to participate at the EULAR PARE Conference 2024 (28-30 November), where their contributions demonstrated the power of patient involvement in shaping impactful RMD research.

The conference theme, “Fostering the Future of Expanded Patient Involvement in Rheumatology Research” highlighted the growing recognition of patients as essential, equal collaborators in advancing science and care. Representing the STRATA-FIT consortium, the patient research partner Slađana Rumpl Tunjić presented a poster during the plenary session, sharing insights into our work and the transformative role of patient contributions in driving meaningful progress.

She was joined by fellow Patient Advisory Panel members Irene Pitsillidou, Elsa Mateus, Bertha Maat, Birgit Barten, and Sofia Valpereiro, who actively engaged in discussions and workshops, shared their unique perspectives, and networked with other participants to reinforce the value of collaborative research.

This event underscored the importance of ensuring that research reflects the needs and priorities of people living with the disease. By embedding patient voices throughout the research process, we not only improve relevance and outcomes but also strengthen trust and understanding between researchers and the communities they aim to serve.

We are proud of our panel’s contributions and their dedication to fostering patient-centered approaches within STRATA-FIT and beyond. A snapshot from the conference captures this incredible team in action—a testament to their commitment to advancing rheumatology research for all.

10 December 2024

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Funded by the European Union (grant agreement no. 101080243). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
The project has also received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and from Hungary’s National Research, Development and Innovation (NRDI) Fund.