Is it worth it? Patient and public views on the impact of their involvement in health research and its assessment: a UK-based qualitative interview study

Joanna C Crocker, Anne-Marie Boylan, Jennifer Bostock, Louise Locock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Citations (Scopus)
13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

There are mounting calls for robust, critical evaluation of the impact of patient and public involvement (PPI) in health research. However, questions remain about how to assess its impact, and whether it should be assessed at all. The debate has thus far been dominated by professionals.To explore the views of PPI contributors involved in health research regarding the impact of PPI on research, whether and how it should be assessed.Qualitative interview study.Thirty-eight PPI contributors involved in health research across the UK.Participants felt that PPI has a beneficial impact on health research. They described various impactful roles, which we conceptualize as the 'expert in lived experience', the 'creative outsider', the 'free challenger', the 'bridger', the 'motivator' and the 'passive presence'. Participants generally supported assessing the impact of PPI, while acknowledging the challenges and concerns about the appropriateness and feasibility of measurement. They expressed a range of views about what impacts should be assessed, by whom and how. Individual feedback on impact was seen as an important driver of improved impact and motivation to stay involved.While there appears to be widespread support for PPI impact assessment among PPI contributors, their views on what to assess and how are diverse. PPI contributors should be involved as equal partners in debates and decisions about these issues. Individual feedback on impact may increase PPI contributors' potential impact and their motivation to stay involved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)519-528
Number of pages10
JournalHealth Expectations
Volume20
Issue number3
Early online date24 Jun 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017

Bibliographical note

Funded by
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
University of Oxford
Applied Health Research and Care Oxford

Keywords

  • evaluation
  • impact
  • patient involvement
  • public involvement
  • user involvement

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