Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement for PhD Students

This paper aims to provide useful advice regarding the development of skills for patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in research. The authors of this paper comprise experienced PhD supervisors and trainers, researchers leading PPIE activities including in the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), and experts in the conduct of PPIE. The paper arose from discussions in preparation for a programme of PPIE training for PhD students in the University of Nottingham, UK. We offer this advice on the basis that it is likely to be of use to others undertaking research training such as undergraduates or research associates moving into health-related research areas. Although the PPIE team of the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre prepared this paper, we hope that it is of value across the whole spectrum of health research, not solely to experimental medicine and is of relevance to research more widely than that supported by the UK’s NIHR. The first section introduces PPIE, explains what it is and what it is not, and why it is important. The second section provides specific advice.