PPI and the HRCDC
Public and patient involvement (PPI) in the planning, design and conduct of research, and in the communication of research results leads to increased effectiveness, credibility and relevance for any health and social care research project.
Involving the public and patients when planning research can help the research team to identify and find solutions to issues that may become a barrier to recruiting or retaining participants, for example, the burden of the planned data collection, or concerns around data processing.
The HRCDC membership includes three PPI representatives who bring important perspectives to the HRCDC’s deliberations. At least one PPI representative must be present for each HRCDC meeting.
The HRCDC application form asks the Applicant/data controller to outline what PPI has been undertaken regarding the research study they are seeking a consent declaration for.
PPI is regarded by the HRCDC as an important in the consideration of the public interest case for each application and also an important data protection safeguard in health research studies where consent from the participant cannot be obtained. All studies applying to the HRCDC are expected to have undertaken reasonable PPI before submitting their application and before the commencement of the health research study.
PPI can occur throughout the research cycle from setting the research question to sharing the research findings. Each application to the HRCDC is considered on a case-by-case basis; the type and extent of PPI is dependent on the nature of the research and the data processing involved.
PPI activities may include:
- Consultation on identifying the public interest in the proposed research.
- Involving people with relevant lived experience in development of the study’s design/protocol, specifically the consent / assent model in cases where participants may have reduced decision-making capacity.
- Review of the study information leaflets and consent / assent forms.
- Involvement in the dissemination of study findings.
Where the study is a multi-national study, is Irish specific PPI required?
In principle, it is acceptable to provide details of the PPI completed outside Ireland, for international studies. If this is the case the Applicant should provide further detail on this engagement in the application including the feedback that has been received from such groups.
While international PPI engagement is welcomed, it may still be important to see PPI conducted in Ireland for some international studies, depending on the sensitivity of the project being considered by the HRCDC. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Find out more about PPI
The PPI Ignite Network is a national network, with offices in seven Universities across Ireland. The Network focuses on building capacity for public and patient involvement (PPI) in health and social care research in Ireland and provides advice and support to academic researchers. Check out the Network’s web site for more information at www.ppinetwork.ie.
Useful PPI resources for getting started
