Public Involvement – for patients and the public
What is Public Involvement in research and why is it important?
We all have a stake in the success of health and clinical research. Consequently, the National Institute for Health and Care Research and other funders, are continually seeking ways to encourage researchers to ensure that the public voice is represented in all stages of research. This includes the decisions on what and how health conditions should be researched.
Public Involvement in research means the active contribution of patients and members of the public to research. Patients and members of the public can use their personal knowledge and experience of health conditions, illness or health care services to help shape research. No previous experience of research is needed and people can contribute in many different ways, such as:
- Helping to develop research ideas or grant applications
- helping to develop clear, fair and appealing materials e.g. patient information leaflets or questionnaires
- offering advice on how projects are run
- doing some of the research
- helping to spread the word about research.
How can the Research Design Service South East help?
If you are interested in helping to develop research ideas or grant applications, or you have an idea for a project, then we may be able to put you in touch with people with similar interests.
Lay Reviewing for Research Design Service South East
The Research Design Service South East also provides opportunities for people who wish to join our dedicated team of lay reviewers who review research proposals or RDS SE PPI grant applications from a lay perspective. If you would like to find out more about opportunities to get involved please email ppi@rds-se.co.uk.
Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG) Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS)
The group was launched in 2017 and is for any young person aged 8-18 years old who wants to make research better for themselves and others. With financial support from the Rockinghorse charity, the CRN KSS and the RDS SE, the group is a collaboration between the Research Design Service South East, NHS Trusts (in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex), Involve, and the Clinical Research Network for Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.
If you are aged between 8-18 years old and would like to find out more about becoming involved with research, please contact ypagkss@nihr.ac.uk
Other opportunities
The Clinical Research Network provide other ways that patient and the public can get involved in health and social care research, including opportunities to join a study as a research participant, or becoming a Patient Research Ambassador.