Join our new Patient and Public Involvement Group
- Are you interested in mental health and medical technology?
- Do you have previous or current experience of a mental health condition?
- Would you like to share your views and experience to help develop research projects that can benefit others?
About the research
Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab (OxPPL) is a research group based at the University of Oxford made up of doctors, psychologists and artificial intelligence experts, who work on developing projects such as this.
‘Precision psychiatry’ is where the diagnosis and treatment for mental health conditions (such as depression and anxiety) are tailored to suit each individual. Precision psychiatry sets out to use the right treatment for the right person at the right time.
For example, if you currently visit your local GP and are diagnosed with depression, then the doctor might prescribe you a well-known antidepressant – something which is sometimes called a ‘one-size-fits all’ approach. For some people, this particular antidepressant might work well, and reduce their symptoms of depression. However, for you it might not be very effective, and it may give you unwanted side effects such as weight gain, nausea or headaches. Finding the right medication may involve a ‘trial-and-error’ process – which in some cases, can take several years.
What precision psychiatry aims to do instead, is use information about your medical history, your demographic background, and your own personal desires and needs, in order to find an antidepressant that is most suitable to you specifically – and quickly.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for members of the public from across the UK to join our new Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group focused on precision psychiatry. We are looking for feedback on some proposed studies, and will seek occasional input from the PPI group to make sure our research projects reflect the priorities and preferences of patients, their families and carers.
We are looking for people who have personal experience of a mental health condition (such as depression or anxiety). You don’t need any technical or research experience but should be interested in health and technology.
We would like to recruit a diverse PPI group, with members from a range of geographical and social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We particularly welcome expressions of interest from people affected by social and economic inequalities, people with physical and mental disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQI+, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
We are especially interested in recruiting new members that will help us increase diversity in PPI and build relationships with communities often under-served by research.
What are the commitments?
You would need to provide occasional feedback on our research projects – a couple of hours every few months – for the next one to two years.
You would also need to be willing to join meetings online via Zoom. (However, if you do not have the resources for this please get in touch with us to discuss what technical support we can provide).
What are the benefits for you?
- The opportunity to help develop and shape projects related to mental health and technology.
- The opportunity to develop an increased understanding of research into precision psychiatry, and the work of the Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab
- Reimbursement for your time.
Payment for time and expenses
You will be reimbursed for your time, in line with our Payment Policy. Exact rates will depend on the type of activity you are engaged in (such as a whole group meeting, or short online feedback).
We will also pay you for any necessary expenses. For the foreseeable future, meetings and communication will be carried out remotely (online). However, we will also reimburse you in the event of future travel and/or carer-related expenses that result from your role. We will discuss these expenses with you in advance of the first meeting that you attend.
What are our assurances to you?
- We are looking for feedback on proposed research studies and will not be giving you any experimental treatment.
- We will protect your privacy at all times, and any information you give us will be kept strictly confidential.
- We will provide you with our full contact details so you can get in touch with us at any time for support and information.
- You can leave the group at any time, with no need for an explanation.
- We will inform you of the progress and results of the project.
How can you express an interest in joining the PPI group?
If you are possibly interested in being part of the PPI group, please send an email by 15th March, to Bessie O’Dell at: OxPPL@psych.ox.ac.uk
Tell us briefly why you meet the criteria for the group, and why this project interests you.
If you have any questions and would like to get in touch before expressing an interest, then please do.
This project is led by Professor Andrea Cipriani and is funded by National Institute for Health Research Professorship (grant number: RP-2017-08-ST2-006).
