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Preparing Research Proposals - Patient & Public
Involvement In Research
Patient & Public Involvement in Research
Involving patients and public in research is an increasingly important part of NHS R&D and is indeed a key requirement of research governance. Department of Health policy over recent years has increasingly emphasised the importance of involving patients and the public in all aspects of their health care, including research.
Involvement means that people who use services are active partners in the research process rather than the subjects of research. Many people describe public involvement in research as doing research with or by the public rather than to, about, or for the public. Involvement can occur during any or all of the processes involved in R&D including, setting the research agenda, commissioning research, undertaking research, interpreting research, disseminating the results of research and getting findings put into practice.
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Why involve patients and the public in research?
It is acknowledged that genuinely involving patients and the public in research can be challenging, so why involve patients and the public in research?
Involve, the national group established by the DH to promote and support public involvement in NHS research provide the following reasons:
- People who use services will be able to offer different perspectives.
- People who use services can help to ensure that the issues that are identified and prioritised are important to them and therefore to health care, public health and social care services as a whole.
- Public involvement can help to ensure that money and resources aren't wasted on research that has little or no relevance.
- People who use services can help to ensure that research doesn't just measure outcomes that are identified and considered important by professionals.
- People who use services can help with the recruitment of their peers for research projects.
- People who use services can help access other people who are often marginalised, such as people from black and minority ethnic communities.
- People who use services can help to disseminate the results of research and work to ensure that changes are implemented.
- Involvement in research, done well, can help empower people who use services.
How do I involve patients and the public in research?
Guidance on how to involve consumers in research can be accessed through the following website: http://www.invo.org.uk/
The most useful document for researchers that can be downloaded from this site is:
This is an introductory document designed for researchers with no previous experience of involving members of the public as active partners in research. The booklet contains information and guidance on:
- Why should researchers involve the public in R&D?
- Levels of public involvement in R&D and what is appropriate involvement
- Who should be involved and how are they identified?
- How to involve the public at the different stages of the R&D process
- Involving the public in designing, managing and undertaking research
- Involving the public in analysing, interpreting the results of research and disseminating findings
Copies of this guidance are also available from the R&D Department
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What is ‘Involve'?
Involve is a group whose main task is to promote and support public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research and development.
Involve includes a broad mix of people who use health and social care services, carers, representatives of voluntary organisations, health and social services managers and researchers.
The organisation aims to ensure that public involvement in Research and Development in the NHS, public health and social care improves the way that:
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decisions are made about what should be a priority for research;
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research is commissioned (chosen and funded);
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research is carried out;
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research findings are communicated.
The main objectives are:
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to develop key alliances and partnerships which can promote greater public involvement in research;
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to support members of the public to play an active role in research;
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to monitor and assess the effects of public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.
You can contact the organisation at the following address
| INVOLVE |
Wessex House |
| Upper Market Street |
| Eastleigh, Hampshire |
| SO50 9FD |
| Tel: 023 8065 1088 |
| Email: admin@invo.org.uk |
Or visit their website: http://www.invo.org.uk/
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What is the Trust's Strategy on patient and public involvement?
The Trust has a strategy on patient and public involvement that describes how the organisation will work to improve its services and facilities through listening to patients and the public including those from minority groups. It also outlines how it will involve patients and the public at the earliest opportunity in the review, reorganisation and planning of current services and facilities and in their future development.
The strategy can be
accessed by following the link below:
Patient
and Public Involvement Strategy 