Are you passionate about improving access to research, fostering better care and creating a positive impact on clinical trials and guidelines for cancer? Apply to PARC (Patient Advocate Research and Clinical Guidelines) Training Program) 2025 now.
What is the PARC (Patient Advocate Research and Clinical Guidelines) Training Program
The National Cancer Grid and PatientsEngage are collaborating to build a team of Patient Advocates to work towards advancing patient and public involvement in research and guideline development in India for cancer care. The inaugural PARC training program to train and empower patient advocates was conducted from November 2024 to March 2025. 16 patient advocates graduated in this first batch.
The National Cancer Grid is a network of major cancer centres, research institutes, patient groups and charitable institutions across India with the mandate of establishing uniform standards of patient care for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, providing specialized training and education in oncology and facilitating collaborative basic, translational and clinical research in cancer.
We are now delighted to announce the second PARC batch. Details of the tentative schedule are given below:
| MARK THESE | KEY DATES |
| Information Session by PE and NCG for those interested |
8th Oct 4pm IST Joining details below |
| Interviews | To be shared in the meeting on 8th |
| Module | Date | Time in IST |
| Orientation and Intro | 1st Nov 2025 | 2-4pm |
| Module 1 | 8th Nov 2025 | 2-4pm |
| Module 2 | 22nd Nov 2025 | 2-4pm |
| Module 3 | 6th Dec 2025 | 2-4pm |
| Module 4 | 20th Dec 2025 | 2-4pm |
| Module 5 | 3rd Jan 2026 | 2-4pm |
| Module 6 | 17th Jan 2026 | 2-4pm |
| Module 7 | 31st Jan 2026 | TBA |
| Module 8 | 7th Feb 2026 | TBA |
| Reflection and review | 21st Feb 2026 | 2-4pm |
There will also be additional open sessions on a few Saturdays between November and February.
If you are interested to learn more about this or wish to join the training program please send us a e-mail at editor@patientsengage.com
What is a Research Patient Advocate?
According to the National Cancer Institute, a research advocate is defined as “ A person who serves as a link between patients and scientific researchers. Research advocates help patients understand scientific information and research findings that may help them. They may also bring a patient perspective on research activities to scientific advisory boards and committees. For example, research advocates use their own experiences and the experiences of patients to work with researchers to help develop clinical trials that are safe and meet the needs of patients. They also help teach patients and their families about clinical trials and recruit patients to clinical trials.”
What is a research patient advocate expected to do?
They are expected to proactively participate and contribute in research or guideline committees. A patient representative or advocate plays a vital role in ensuring that clinical trials and guidelines are patient-centered, relevant, and practical. Their contributions help to align healthcare practices with patient needs, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and enhanced patient satisfaction.
Criteria for selection will include the following:
- Lived experience of cancer as a patient or a family caregiver.
- Working Knowledge of English.
- Willingness to understand the needs of the community they represent
- Willingness to read Clinical Trial or Guideline related documents.
- Willingness to read and understand scientific documents (with assistance) and documents that provide economic/social context.
- Ability to use tools like Whatsapp, Zoom, Email.
- Able to spend about 2-3 hours per week or 8-10 hours per month from Nov 2025 to February 2026 for virtual training and briefing/ mentoring sessions.
- Willing to be part of 1 research or guidelines committee a year (6-10 hours) after the training
- Previous experience in patient navigation or advocacy – desirable, not mandatory.
What does the training entail?
Training will entail online classes on several modules aimed to prepare the participant to become a patient advocate. Attendance is compulsory in order to complete the training. Certificate will be provided upon successful completion.
What is the time commitment required after the training?
The research/guideline committee that you become a part of will intimate you regarding the timeline of the project. Specific dates and any changes are shared in advance by the research/guideline committee along with details on how often they will meet and the type(s) of meetings (offline or online) that will occur.
How to contact us?
If you are interested in participating, email us at editor@patientsengage.com with your full name, and an introduction on why you would like to be a Patient Advocate and how you can contribute. Please add PARC Cancer Patient Advocate Training in the subject line.
