This casebook project is one of many featured in the lived experience in research road map resource, developed by the BC SUPPORT Unit. Explore the full set of case study examples.
Beyond weight: Addressing bias through alternative body measurements
Project team members include:
- Principal investigator: Eleah Stringer
- Study lead: Evelyn Wu
- Team members: Andrea Holmes and Chrissie Ohlund
What is this project about?
Our study aims to improve weight-inclusiveness. Dietitians at the regional care centre BC Cancer – Surrey will compare patient experiences to see if body composition data — beyond weight alone — motivates head and neck cancer patients to engage more in their nutritional care. They will do this by using a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) scale versus a standard weight scale.
This project is part of the BC Cancer Practice-based Research Challenge.
Who did you partner with for your project?
We have two patient partners on our team.
How did partners with lived experience contribute during key stages of your research project?
Research stage
Throughout the project
How we partnered
From the very beginning, two patient partners have been involved in our work. As we prepare our protocol and research ethics board documentation, their contributions have been invaluable, especially in designing the end-of-study survey focused on patient experiences with both scales.
Because no existing surveys addressed this need, we created our own. Both partners played a crucial role in shaping and refining the questions and layout.
How can someone learn more about your project?
Visit the study page and contact us: Exploring patient experience and nutritional outcomes between body weight and body composition measures in patients with head and neck cancer: A comparative analysis.
Acknowledgments and thanks
We would like to thank the BC Cancer Practice-based Research Challenge for funding this study, along with support from Michael Smith Health Research BC and the Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation.
This project was collected as part of a casebook that demonstrates patient-oriented research in BC.
Explore the casebook