It’s been six weeks since the first Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in Research seminar by Professor Jo Adams (Musculoskeletal Health, University of Southampton), and next Monday will see the closing seminar delivered by Simon Denegri (the National Director for Patients and the Public in Research (National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)) and INVOLVE Chair). In between Bournemouth University’s Lisa Gale-Andrews (RKEO) and Dr Zoe Sheppard ran an interactive session on the ‘Importance of public involvement in research design: an orthopaedic case study’, whereas Dr Mel Hughes and Angela Warren (Carer and Service User Partnership) showcased their BU PIER network linking clinical patient groups, to educational provision, in discussing ‘Recruiting and supporting participants to engage in meaningful PPI ‘.
Supported by colleagues, Dr Mel Hughes, Tom Wainwright and Michelle Sanderson, I have learnt how to manage a project, using development workshops to then create for research and further educational opportunities. With the final seminar approaching, I am i) scoping opportunities for run an annual PPI seminar series (and how best to convey the relevance of public involvement to undergraduate students), ii) identifying students to co-chair a patient advisory group discussion (to determine what factors would help patients self-management their functional recovery following hip/knee replacement surgery) and, iii) recruiting patients who have had hip and/or knee replacement to partake in a public advisory group.
The seminar series has involved much interest and positive feedback, however the uptake from students has been disappointing and it remains a challenge to communicate the relevance of public engagement (by way of patient involvement) to both undergraduate and postgraduate students across the disciplines. This is something that will consider solutions for in future; particularly how to embed PPI into courses in the Health and Exercise Sciences.
PPI Seminar Series – Registration
