The I in COVID: The importance of community and patient involvement in COVID-19 research

Abstract

The call for community and patient involvement in the COVID-19 response is yet to be heard and answered. There are practical and ethical reasons for researchers not to neglect patient and public involvement (PPI), which has become an important cornerstone of UK-based clinical research. There has been a commendable effort towards driving evidence-based research, particularly through clinical trials in the UK. This article presents a brief background to PPI and points for consideration for clinical researchers currently active in or planning COVID-19 research.