After the week 1 lecture and with the help of the Lesson 1 partner readings complete the questions below.
Stop & think
Q1. What is the difference in perspective between a ‘patient’ and a ‘member of the public’ and what they might bring to research?
Answer
Members of the public can provide a lay perspective on any aspect of a research study. They can comment on the value of the research; the understandability of study materials such as lay summaries and patient information sheets; recruitment processes; data collection and analysis; reporting and public engagement. A member of the public with a specific health condition (and members of their family) has additional knowledge and understanding of the subject, based on their experience of illness and treatment: experiential knowledge. They can provide unique additional insights to inform all the above activities, but are likely to be more able than a general member of the public to help identify research priorities for their specific condition and help to interpret findings.
Q2. Can you explain the relationship between patient involvement in research and public engagement?
Answer
Patient involvement concerns involving patients as colleagues in the research team. Public engagement is concerned with providing information about research in ways that are accessible to the public, to promote understanding of research and its findings. Public engagement is therefore an important part of the research process and involving patients/the public in research teams can help researchers to communicate what they do effectively. Also, a research aware member of the public is more likely to want to be involved in research.
