Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore patients' experiences of their involvement in the design and delivery of interprofessional education interventions focussing on mental ill‐health for students studying in undergraduate healthcare and healthcare‐related programmes.DesignA qualitative methodology using a Grounded Theory approach was used to undertake an iterative series of focus groups with members of a university's Patient, Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) Group who have a history of mental ill‐health and were involved in the development and delivery of educational interventions for students on undergraduate healthcare and healthcare‐related programmes. Their experiences of being involved in teaching and learning activities, collaboration with academic staff and integration into the academic faculty were explored. Constant comparative analysis facilitated the identification and prioritisation of salient themes.ResultsFive salient inter‐related themes emerged from the data: (1) reduced stigma and normalisation of experience of illness; (2) enhanced self‐worth; (3) improved well‐being; (4) community and connection; and (5) enduring benefits.ConclusionsA supportive university community and a designated academic PCPI co‐ordinator facilitate a supportive environment for patients and carers to develop as educators, contribute to the training of future healthcare professionals and improve their own personal well‐being. Appropriately resourced and well‐supported initiatives to integrate patients, carers and the public into the functions of an academic faculty can result in tangible benefits to individuals and facilitate meaningful and enduring connections between the university and the wider community within which it is situated.Patient and Public InvolvementPatients have been involved in the design of the teaching and learning initiatives that this study was primarily focused on. Patients were given autonomy in determining how their experiences should be incorporated into teaching and learning experiences.
Highlights
IntroductionIn addition to involving patients in individual academic programmes, increasing attention has been paid to the wider civic responsibilities of universities
Participants reflected on the stigma that they felt was attached to their condition(s) before their involvement with the university PCPI group
This study provides further evidence that involvement in undergraduate healthcare education is beneficial to patients with a history of mental ill‐health
Summary
In addition to involving patients in individual academic programmes, increasing attention has been paid to the wider civic responsibilities of universities. Institutions are being encouraged to examine ‘with purpose and rigour’ how they should fulfil their duties to provide wider public benefit, enrich communities and enhance the connection between universities and places.[20] This raises questions about how this can be achieved and how the outcomes are measured
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