I29. Patient Involvement in Research: What is the Evidence and the Scope of Patient and Public Involvement in Musculoskeletal Research?

Abstract

Background Close co-operation with service users is now understood as essential for the development of evidence-based care in government guidance. Collaborations are likely to be most rewarding in long-term conditions where significant partnerships are commonly established between service users and health professionals over time. To involve patients and the public in helping to design, develop and disseminate research is recognised to improve clinical research through providing a fresh approach to investigations, improve recruitment to research studies, develop novel outcomes and better inform study designs. Different stages and levels in the research process exist. Session 1: Title: Patient Involvement in research what is the evidence and the scope of PPI in MSK research. Heidi Lempp and Jo Adams This presentation provides the background to the occurrence and evidence for the effectiveness of Patient and Public Involvement in research in designing more successful and relevant research projects. It provides examples of successful PPI strategies from two perspectives. The first provides examples from individual research projects showing how patients and service users can be involved in setting priorities for research agendas, agreeing trial intervention packages, designing active and placebo intervention components and contributing towards dissemination and publication of research findings. Simple strategies to maximise, maintain and acknowledge PPI input are explored. The second provides example from a national approach to embedding PPI across the Arthritis Research UK Centre of Excellence for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis. Training and support for both PPI representatives and clinical academics is crucial. Some of the challenges involved in establishing and developing PPI strategies across multi disciplinary research are discussed and feedback provided on useful strategies to support on going engagement.