PPI2015 course guide
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 you are required to submit your diary as one of the assignments for this course.
10. Snapshots
Dear Course participants,
We know that studying online can sometimes make you feel distant from other students, but you are by no means alone! You are part of a diverse community of over 2,400 other online learners at Edinburgh, each with their own story, which we hope to capture through ODL Snapshots.
ODL Snapshots - http://odl-snapshots.is.ed.ac.uk/index.php/snapshots/
We wish to capture a snapshot in time of Online Distance Learning and the people that make up the community – you, the students! This is your chance to introduce yourself while explaining what led you to the path of Online Learning and what it means for you to be an Online Distance student. We’d love for you to get involved and leave a mark on your University.
Instead of just giving you an online form, we would like to hear from you directly. Simply send in your unique ‘Snapshot’ - an audio recording of you speaking, along with an optional photo from where you are studying. Your Snapshot will be shown alongside Snapshots from other ODL students for all to enjoy and share.
- The project is open to students enrolled at any stage of their online study
- It’s Quick – It can take just a few minutes to create and upload your Snapshot (less than 60 seconds for your audio would be perfect)
- It’s Simple – You can do it all through the website from your computer, phone or tablet
- Snapshots will be kept anonymous
See the website for more details and advice on how to create your Snapshot: http://odl-snapshots.is.ed.ac.uk/
or just create your snapshot here: http://odl-snapshots.is.ed.ac.uk/index.php/how-to-create/
Looking forward to sharing your creations!
UoE Online learning team