About the Project

Acute pneumonia is a major public health problem in Nepal and continues to cause significant illness and death. Despite improvements in healthcare, many challenges remain such as limited resources, access barriers, and rising antimicrobial resistance. One key issue is that research priorities are often decided without input from patients, families, and communities. As a result, research may not always address the real problems people face.

This project aims to change that. Led by the Nepal Intensive Care Research Foundation (NICRF), this initiative brings together patients, families, healthcare workers, researchers, and policymakers to identify the most important research questions about pneumonia in Nepal.

What is a Priority Setting Partnership (PSP)?

A Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) is a collaborative process that brings together patients, families, healthcare workers, researchers, and policymakers to identify and prioritize unanswered questions about a health condition. It ensures that research focuses on what matters most to people affected by the condition—not just what researchers think is important.

What Are We Trying to Answer?

What are the most important research questions about pneumonia diagnosis, treatment, and care in Nepal—from the perspective of patients, families, and healthcare providers?

Our Objectives

• To create a diverse partnership including patients, families, the public, clinicians, and researchers
• To identify the most important research questions related to pneumonia in Nepal
• To support the development of a Nepal-specific research study based on these priorities
• To contribute to ongoing global research efforts such as REMAP-CAP

What Will We Do?

This project follows a step-by-step process:

1. Form an Advisory (Core) Group A group of 15 members (patients, families, and professionals) will be selected and trained.
2. Collect Questions We will ask people across Nepal: "What questions about pneumonia care or treatment should research answer?" This will be done through surveys and community events.
3. Review and Prioritize Questions will be grouped and reviewed, existing research will be checked, and the most important questions will be shortlisted.
4. Final Workshop The group will meet to agree on the Top 10 research priorities.
5. Develop Research The top priority question will be explored for integration into an ongoing clinical trial (REMAP-CAP).

Our Approach

We use the internationally recognized James Lind Alliance (JLA) method, adapted for Nepal. This approach ensures:

• Equal voice for all participants
• Transparency in decision-making
• Focus on real-world needs

Who Can Get Involved?

We welcome:

• Patients who have experienced pneumonia
• Family members and caregivers
• Doctors, nurses, and health workers
• Researchers and policymakers
• Members of the public

Project Timeline

• Phase 1: Preparation & Advisory Group formation
• Phase 2: Question collection (survey & events)
• Phase 3: Prioritization and final workshop
• Phase 4: Integration into research and dissemination

Impact

This project will:

• Create a Top 10 list of pneumonia research priorities for Nepal
• Strengthen patient and public involvement in research
• Support development of relevant, practical, and impactful research
• Help improve patient care and health outcomes

Ethics

Our Team

Resources