Getting involved in research as a public contributor
When we do research, we work with patients, potential patients, carers and interested members of the public. This process of bringing people together is called Public and Patient Involvement, which is usually shortened to PPI. If you take part in this process, you become a PPI contributor.
When we talk about PPI or involvement in research, we do not mean as a research participant in a clinical trial, rather the role is to help guide and shape the research we do.
Patients and the public are experts with lived experience that can make our research more relevant and make sure it addresses the things that matter to people.
Who can get involved
We are keen to involve a diverse range of people who:
- have Parkinson’s
- care for people with Parkinson’s
- have any lived experience of Parkinson’s
- use or might use health and social care services
- work for organisations that support people with Parkinson’s
- are interested in research.
You do not need to have any previous experience of working as a PPI contributor to get involved.
How Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) makes a difference
You can make a direct difference to research by getting involved and sharing your experience. Members of the public can:
- help us to identify the most important areas to research
- ensure that the research we run is acceptable and accessible to people
- guide us in developing and designing patient information leaflets and other materials that patients will read
- ensure the research funding applications we submit are patient-focused and relevant
- carry out research with us
How to get involved
We are looking for people from all backgrounds to get involved as PPI contributors in our work at the Ageing and Movement Research Group. Please contact us to find out more.
Meetings take place in a relaxed environment and timings are flexible to fit around members’ other commitments.
PPI contributors are paid for their time. The payment process is guided by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
If you want to read more about the role of patients and the public in research please visit the NIHR INVOLVE website.
