Evidence Library

Abstract: Aim: To explore people’s views on the barriers and drivers of public involvement (PI) in research, its impact and ways to evaluate the outcomes. Method: A Delphi consultation exercise with researchers, members of the public, research managers, commissioners and funders. Findings: There was a lot of agreement about the barriers and drivers to PI, with drivers tending to be the opposite of barriers. Common barriers included lack of funding for PI and work-time pressures on researchers. Team-building, training for all involved and openness to the perspectives of others were agreed to be essential factors for effective PI. There was also lot of agreement about how PI impacts on research, but no consensus on whether it necessarily improves quality and relevance. Although PI was thought to be of value in itself, the majority of participants still thought it important to evaluate its impact. This was recognised to be difficult, when much of current practice tends to be tokenistic, and the quality of the PI process has a major influence on its impact. Conclusion: Addressing tokenism and related barriers remains a priority for all stakeholders with an interest of PI.

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Categories: health
public health
social care
reflecting on public involvement in research
journal article

Date Entered: 2014/10/14

Date Edited: 2014/10/14