Skip to main content
Joint Research Management Office

Breadcrumb

  1. JRMO
  2. Performing research
  3. Involving patients in research

Involving patients in research

Smiling young ladies with 'I am research' badges

We strive to ensure research taking place in our hospitals is informed and enriched by public involvement and engagement that is proactive, responsive, and designed and delivered with our diverse population.

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in research refers to an active partnership between members of the public and researchers. Members of the public work alongside researchers and are actively involved in contributing to the research process, creating a culture where research is carried out with or by members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them. Definitions of PPIE can be found on the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) website.  

Why should you involve the public in your research?

PPIE allows us to involve patients and the public in decisions about what we do and how we interpret and communicate our analysis. Patients, carers, or members of the public can also provide insights into what it is like to live with a particular illness, and what it is like to be a user of a treatment or health service. A growing body of research shows that these insights can help to make health research more relevant to the needs of patients, carers and service users.

We have put together a selection of guidance, toolkits and resources on our PPI resources for researchers page. If you are new to PPIE, this is a great way to get started on your journey. This page also includes some funding opportunities, to help you deliver your activities.

It’s important to consider the costs associated with conducting PPIE in your research and how you might pay or reward the public for their contribution to your research. Please see our reimbursing expenses page to help guide you through this process.

The Research Engagement team

The Research Engagement team works with researchers, healthcare professionals, patients and the public to build stronger partnerships in the development, delivery and dissemination of our research and encourage greater levels of engagement, participation and involvement in our research amongst our patients and local residents. For further advice and to talk through your ideas, contact the team:

Neeta Patel, Associate Director, Research Engagement at neeta.patel6@nhs.net  

James Marshall, Research Engagement Coordinator at james.marshall7@nhs.net

Check out our page on Twitter/X @BartsHealthRes1

Back to top