xxUnit I OLDxx

This course will introduce the student to the principles and practice of involving patients and the public in research. Patient and public involvement is when members of the public are actively involved in research studies, working with researchers on the development, conduct, dissemination and governance of clinical research. Patient and public involvement does not mean recruiting patients as participants in research studies.

Patient and public involvement is firmly established in health research policy in the United Kingdom and many (but not all) countries internationally. Including patient and public perspectives in the research team, it is claimed, improves the quality of research and ensures research is relevant to people who use health services. Public engagement is a related area, which incorporates communicating with the public about research: what researchers do, why they do it, what it contributes to society. Effective involvement and engagement of patients and members of the public in research requires researchers to reflect on their own values and practice, including their views of ‘expertise’. This course will enable participants to analyse and debate the value of patient and public involvement in research and develop their skills in implementing it in their own practice.

Patient and public involvement in research is a developing field. The course may challenge some of your understandings of what constitutes an expert, how you interact with patients and your ways of working. Keeping a reflective diary which incorporates your learning and perceptions is essential and will be of great assistance to you in completing the assignments for this course.