Why IMI PARADIGM – The academic perspective (Guest blog)
23.04.19
Patient engagement (PE) and patient and public involvement (PPI) before, during and after the research process can help develop research questions, methods and outcomes that respond better to the needs and interests of patients, carers compared to when researchers alone in isolation. Furthermore, researchers can benefit by producing research that is more relevant and impactful.
Many research funders (such as the UK’s National Institute for Health Research; NIHR) increasingly require evidence of PPI/PE in research either during the grant application process, in the proposed studies themselves, or in both. There is a growing PPI “industry” to support this: many academic institutions undertaking health research have designated PPI leads, strategies and plans in place, and much is said (and developed) about the need to ensure “best practice” is followed. In addition, academic-industry partnerships are an increasing mainstay of the successful interface in the translation from “bench to bedside” and embedded in the overarching strategies of academic institutions. Mechanisms to effectively integrate PPI into these partnerships are already being put in place, but more is needed.
You can read the full blog on the PARADIGM website.
