Public involvement is central to high-quality, ethical research. Working in partnership with patients and the public in the design and conduct of research helps make research more relevant and acceptable to participants, improves the informed consent process and helps with recruitment and retention. It also improves the experience of taking part, helps develop more meaningful outcomes and supports the communication of findings.
Public involvement is just as important in COVID-19 research as it is in other health and social care research. But, like other aspects of research design and conduct, it needs to be rapid and proportionate, so that studies can begin as quickly as possible. There is some great public involvement going on, but we know that many research teams are finding it a challenge and involvement rates are lower than normal.
The HRA is here to help. We are working with people and organisations across the public involvement community, to set up a service which will enable research teams to find people and resources to help them.
We expect to be up and running in mid-May. In the meantime, if you would like to help, please get in touch with the HRA Public Involvement team at public.involvement@hra.nhs.uk
Director of PolicyJuliet Tizzard