Abstract
Background
In the UK, demonstration of patient and public involvement (PPI) is now a funding requirement. Despite advice being available to researchers regarding PPI, levels of engagement are variable. Patient involvement has been at the core of the Leeds Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group since 2007 when a local Research Advisory Group (RAG) was established. In addition, we work with experienced patient advocates from national groups.
Methods
The RAG is led by designated researchers who manage and communicate with members. The RAG is invited to twice yearly meetings with the full research team when study findings are disseminated and advice sought. The meetings are also an opportunity to socialise and thank members. Effective partnerships and engagement require good communication, building relationships over time and tailoring involvement to individuals’ skills and experience.
Results
Patients have been involved in design, planning new projects and assisting with grant proposals; development, pilot testing of interview strategies and question generation, project steering groups and management teams, development of self-management advice for online patient portals; implementation, extensive beta testing of new questionnaire builder software to enable collection of online patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and study websites, cognitive interviews to develop PRO items; dissemination, co-authorship of papers and presentations, attendance/representation of the group at conferences.
Conclusion
The involvement of patient advocates is integral to ensuring PRO development remains patient-centred. Having a co-operative, well-established local PPI group and nationally active patient collaborators has had a rewarding and significant impact on our research programmes.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank all past and current RAG members who have shared ideas and given up their time to support our research. Thanks also to Clare Harley, Alan Liu, Emma Ingleson, Helen Jones, Simon Pini, Fiona Kennedy and Beverly Horne for their involvement in establishing and maintaining the RAG since 2007 and Maureen Twiddy for her advice on the history of PPI in the UK. This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Programme Grants for Applied Research Programme (RP-PG-0611-20008). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
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Absolom, K., Holch, P., Woroncow, B. et al. Beyond lip service and box ticking: how effective patient engagement is integral to the development and delivery of patient-reported outcomes. Qual Life Res 24, 1077–1085 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0909-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0909-z