Involving the Public in NHS, Public Health, and Social Care Research: Briefing Notes For Researchers

Abstract

This booklet is designed for researchers with no previous experience of involving members of the public, and for people who use services, as active partners in research. It is an introductory document which contains references for further reading on the subject of involvement.Book review Health Expectations 8 (2005), 91-93:In my experience, researchers often struggle with why and how to involve health care consumers and members of the public in research. This second edition of a booklet first published in 2000 is a unique resource which will do much to aid the practical efforts of those who seek to involve the public and people who use health services. Written by a combination of people who use services as well as researchers, the pages of the book drip with rich experience of what it is to be on the receiving end as well as a deep appreciation of the difficulties and needs of researchers. The care with which this simple booklet is written incorporates the preferred terminology of 'the public' and 'people who use services' rather than the terminology of 'consumers,' or 'patients.' In adopting such terminology, the writers obviously recognize that language is important and a variety of these terms can be a potential barrier for researchers in the first place. The UK nature of this publication is here apparent, as in Australia and the US, for example, different discourses apply. Yet this is not a major problem, as the publication is clearly written for and within the UK. Readers from other countries can easily translate and indeed I found it valuable to reflect on the reasons why we use different language in Australia - predominantly that of consumers or patients.This valuable booklet starts off with sections dealing with the provision of good reasons for why to involve the public, and an exploration of levels of involvement in research and development (R&D), helping researchers to work out that which is best for their setting and research. There is then a section on working out who to involve, and building relationships, leading on to a section dealing with how to involve the public at the different stages of the R&D process. This ranges from identifying topics for research right through to the evaluation of research.A particularly useful aspect is that in every section of the book there are simple but meaningful examples provided of how research has worked to incorporate members of the public as well as the benefits associated with this. Another valuable aspect is that in being clearly and simply written, this book will be of assistance not just to researchers but also to the public. Likewise, some very useful resources are found in the provision of checklists associated with involving members of the public. These include aspects that may be dismissed by some as mundane, but in reality are very important, such as access and even a checklist with regard to budgeting for public involvement.In addition, the appendices are essential reading. In particular, the listing of useful references is a veritable treasure trove which will provide something not just for people new to involving the public in research, but also for those who have been involved for some time.A particularly useful aspect of the book is to be found in the way in which researchers can consult a section at a given stage of a research question or project. Yet it also lends itself to being read from cover to cover. Whilst written for the UK scene, it is also a valuable resource for researchers in the rest of the world, particularly those involved in public health systems.Quite simply, a 'must read' made all the more accessible by an online version, which is also freely available for download.Christopher Newell