Patient and public involvement

PPI is integral to health and social care research - it improves quality, relevance, and impact, while building trust with participants and communities. Involving patients and the public early and meaningfully helps ensure:

• Studies reflect participant priorities and concerns
• Materials are clear, accessible, and respectful
• Recruitment and retention are more effective
• The research experience is positive and inclusive
• Results are communicated clearly and meaningfully

PPI also supports ethical oversight by enhancing how research respects participants’ dignity, safety, and rights - a key consideration for Research Ethics Committees (RECs)

PPI is supported in Edinburgh by a wide network of PPI professionals, and guided by the PPI Lead for NHS Lothian.

The team support researchers with integrating PPI into their health research - from grant application stage throughout the research lifecycle. They also work with a well-established Patient Advisory Group that helps to:

• Advise on study design and involvement methods
• Help recruit and advertise for PPI contributors
• Review patient-facing materials like information sheets, lay summaries, and websites
• Assist in costing, grant reviews, and IRAS applications
• Offer talks on participation and public engagement