Public Involvement in Health Research

More people than ever are taking part in research studies. The number of new studies delivered in the NHS has increased, and the number of patients engaged in research activity has hit an all-time high. Patients and the general public can often bring a fresh perspective to research. There have been occasions when members of the public have identified areas of research that have not previously been considered. Patients and the general public can also help to steer research projects by commenting on and developing research materials.

Patient involvement can range from being kept abreast of research news to being involved in designing research projects – any assistance is welcome.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust hold a database of patients who are happy to be contacted about research. Signing up to the database allows us to keep you up to date with developments and also gives you options on new studies which may be of interest to you. You can also choose to get involved in study design as well if you wish. If you’d like to get involved, please e-mail plh-tr.RD-Office@nhs.net and leave your name, e-mail address and address.

Public involvement in research includes:

  • Being able to ensure that important issues are identified and provide a patient-perspective on care and research.
  • Making the language and content of information provided more appropriate and accessible (for example in questionnaires, and patient/participant information leaflets for clinical trials).
  • Helping to ensure that the methods proposed for the study are acceptable and sensitive to the situations of potential research participants.
  • Helping to ensure that research uses outcomes that are important to the public.
  • Encouraging and supporting patients to participate in research by – making the research more appropriate and acceptable to potential participants – improving the information provided so people can make informed choices – helping to include seldom heard groups. 
  • Suggesting ideas for new research areas.
  • Ensuring research is focused on the public’s interests and concerns and that money and resources are used efficiently.
  • Helping to reshape and clarify the research. 
  • Ensuring that new technologies are acceptable to the public. 
  • Disseminating results of research and supporting the implementation of research outcomes for patient benefit.
  • Ensuring that the changes are implemented. 

Useful Information and Links

If you want to know more about opportunities to participate in research or become involved in supporting the development of research, whether for yourself or on behalf of others, then please connect to the following social media accounts:

Web: https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NIHRtakepart and https://twitter.com/nihrinvolvement?lang=en

Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/OfficialNIHR/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NIHRtv

UK Clinical Research Collaboration  website gives information on public involvement in research and booklets can be downloaded giving further information.

Help us by getting involved in research. Contact Us today!

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