Outline PPI/E strategy for BRC-3

Summary

Building on the achievements of the PPI/E activities in previous Oxford BRCs, we aim to strengthen and sharpenPPI/E activity across BRC-3 and the wider Oxford research network. We will do this through a five-pronged strategy of

  • streamlining our processes and activities to align closely with NIHR and BRC priorities for PPI/E;
  • benchmarking PPI/E performance across all BRC themes;
  • mainstreaming PPI/E input toBRC governance structures, processes and engagement platforms;
  • partnering with other NIHR-funded research structures and other relevant networks in the Oxford region;
  • training for reseachers on how to undertake and evaluate PPI/E work.

Detail

In BRC-2, PPI activity sought to focus on five things: [a] building strategic partnerships (academic-NHS-industry); [b] embedding PPI in governance (of BRC and of NHS trusts); [c] embedding PPI throughout the research cycle (including James Lind Alliance work); [d] public engagement (including links with theatre groups); and [e] research on the patient experience. Reports from BRC-2 describe successes in each ofthese activities while also identifying some areas for improvement.

An anonymous survey of Oxford’s BRC theme leads undertaken in October-November 2016 identified their three key priorities:

  • practical support for their own efforts to embed PPI in their theme (including finding patients to sit on steering groups);
  • support to evaluate their PPI/E work and learn from models of good practice elsewhere; and
  • closer alignment of PPI/E activity with other themes and activities in the BRC

Building on the efforts of the BRC-2 PPI team, and taking account of theme leaders’ priorities and the overall goals of BRC-3,we seek to strengthen and sharpenPPI/Eactivity across BRC-3 and the wider Oxford research network. In line with growing NIHR interest in reducing research waste, we also seek to increase the efficiency of the BRC’s PPI/E work.

With this goal in mind, we will undertake a five-pronged strategy of streamlining, benchmarking, mainstreaming and partnering:

  • Streamlining: we will simplify our processes and materials for PPI/E. This will include taking the research priority-setting work back to first principles; reviewing, updating and extending off-the-shelf materials; identifying and sharing examples of good practice; and providing timely and practical central advice (in close collaboration with the Research Design Service);
  • Benchmarking: we will join local efforts to develop and pilot a benchmarking tool for PPI/E. We will then support the application of this across all the themes of the BRC, and use this benchmarking data as the starting point to work with themes to address their specific PPI/E challenges;
  • Mainstreaming: we will move from the current model of standalone structures to integrating all aspects of PPI/Ewithin the BRC’s own governance structures. This will include a lay chair of the PHWI theme steering group, and drawing on that cross-cutting theme’s work to incorporate patient and public perspectives within the BRC governance structures and processes more broadly. We will integrate PPI/E into the main BRC website and expandour engagement tools, making theme-specific engagement platforms more centrally visible, and better signposting patients and citizens to engagement opportunities in the areas of interest to them;
  • Partnering: we will collaborate with the other research structures and networks in the area (including the companion BRC, the AHSN, AHSC, CRN and CLARHC) in order to maximise synergies and take a coherent regional approach to PPI/E (including a shared database of PPI/E contacts). Within the BRC, we will link PPI/E to other areas of research such as ethics (eg: on different models of consent), and showing the value of PPI/E through research on the patient experience and how this adds value to the research process. We will also build on Oxford University’s schools outreach programme to increase engagement of young people in particular;
  • Training: In collaboration with the organisations mentioned above, we will develop a co-ordinated approach to training researchers in PPI/E and training patients and citizens to contribute to research. A specific priority, which takes forward previous work from BRC-2, will be training researchers to write accessible lay summaries of their planned and completed research studies.

Trish Greenhalgh (BRC-3 PHWI Director)

Nick Fahy

January 2017

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