Research being carried out with or by members of the public rather than to, about or for them.” – INVOLVE

Examples of involvement include patients, carers and members of the public working together with researchers at all stages of the research cycle to:

• select research that is important and relevant to the public
• design and deliver projects
• develop understandable information sheets for people taking part in research
• carry out some aspects of the research (for example interviews)
• interpret the results of the research
• make sure the research is reported in understandable ways and that good research is heard about

We think involvement can help develop research that responds better to the needs and interests of patients, carers and researchers than that developed by researchers alone.

Researchers may not have first-hand experience of the illness they are researching and involvement can provide them with important insights.

No matter how complicated the research, or how brilliant the researcher, patients and the public always offer unique, invaluable insights. Their advice when designing, implementing and evaluating research invariably makes studies more effective, more credible and often more cost efficient as well.”

Professor Dame Sally Davies Chief Medical Officer

Patient and Public Involvement can improve the quality of research by making sure that:

• research and outcomes are important and relevant to the public
• research materials are easy to understand
• the research process is sensitive and acceptable to potential participants

These factors may also lead to an increased participation in research.

The NIHR Oxford Health BRC’s aim is to provide a structure for involving patients, carers and the public in our mental health research – here in Oxford and more broadly across the UK. We are supported by our colleagues at the NIHR Oxford University Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre (OUH BRC).  And most importantly we will be guided by our Patients and Research (PAR) group. See also PPI Resources for Researchers.

For members of the public interested in research, please visit our Patient and Public Involvement page.