LAUSR

T he research community’s pivot and evolution, over the past decade, to a focus on patient-centered research topics, patient involvement in research development, and most recently the engagement of patients as full, contributing research teammembers, has been simultaneously unprecedented and the most natural progression of research history. As an individual with a chronic lung disease for over 20 years, often labeled as “patient,” I have watched and welcomed this evolution from both the sidelines and the trenches. However, while fully invested in the patient-centered, patient-engaged research initiatives, I can admit I was not always fully prepared for the research role I was asked to take on, needing, at times, more than the title of “patient” to feel fully comfortable, confident, and prepared to become engaged. My view is not a singular one. The COPD Foundation is an organization focused on improving the lives of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for which I have served as patient investigator and overall advocate. This organization recognizes the gap that often exists for patients between their desire to participate and the confidence and comfort needed to actually raise their hand and join a team. The Foundation, which has over 50,000 registered individuals in its patient community, understood that a comprehensive research-focused training for the COPD community could boost patients’/caregivers’ confidence, making them more likely to consider joining a research team while also improving their experience on the team.With that understanding, the Foundation focused on creating a research training programwith a patient as co-lead of the team tasked with creating the training modules. I am that patient co-lead, and the training program is the COPD Patient-Powered Research Network’s BRIDGEPatient to Investigator Training. The training consists of 11 online modules that provide fundamental research information, is focused on building confidence, and addresses the activity and mobility limitations within the COPD community, supporting those who might not be able to attend in-person trainings. I am excited to be a part of an initiative where I can use my own patient investigator experiences and lessons learned to create a training program that will encourage, educate, and ultimately motivate more patients to become involved in research, ensuring their voice is heard.