PEDSnet defines engagement as ‘being involved in producing the information, knowledge, and know-how for improving personal health and the health care system.’
Engagement applies to all participants in the health care system - patients, families, clinicians researchers, institutional leaders, industry leaders, regulators, and other stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement in all aspects of our project is essential to achieving this aim. PEDSnet conceptualizes engagement to exist along a continuum, from stakeholder awareness (knowing about the system), to participation (consuming the system’s products), to contribution (e.g., helping to improve the system’s products), and finally to ownership (e.g., leading new initiatives or creating new products).