Practical Approaches to Patient & Public Involvement in Research

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research has evolved from a tick-box exercise to a vital and enriching part of the research process. This recent NIHR webinar brought together professionals and contributors to share strategies, challenges, and practical guidance for embedding meaningful PPI in health and care research.

Led by Linda Onerhime-Prince, Meerat Kaur, and lay partner Georgina McMasters, the session opened with clear definitions of the three central components of public partnership: involvement, participation, and engagement. These were explained with clarity, setting a foundation for understanding the nuanced differences in approaches and how to apply them in research contexts.

The NIHR’s strategic commitments to public partnership were highlighted, focusing on inclusion, reward and recognition, feedback, and capacity building. These strategic pillars reflect a shift towards more accountable and representative research practices across the NIHR’s broad remit.

A core part of the discussion focused on approaches to PPI, breaking these into four categories: consultation, collaboration, co-production, and user-controlled research. Each approach has its value depending on context and capacity, and examples such as the Five X More report on Black maternal health powerfully illustrated the policy-shaping potential of user-led research.

A particularly insightful part of the webinar came from Georgina McMasters, who shared her lived experience of being a public contributor. She underscored the importance of clarity, respectful engagement, and proper communication in creating productive partnerships. Her tips—such as avoiding jargon, valuing diverse input, and properly managing expectations around contributions—are invaluable for researchers at all stages.

The session also offered practical guidance on organising and hosting meetings, from accessibility considerations for in-person gatherings to maintaining energy and inclusivity during online sessions. Key advice included planning with empathy, setting ground rules, and following up effectively after meetings.