Using PPI (Public and Patient Involvement) in Neurorehabilitation Service Research Prioritization

ABSTRACT

Objective: A Research Prioritization Exercise (RPE) was conducted to determine research focus for the coming years in an adult neurorehabilitation service. As best practice guidelines in health research highlight that Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) should be a key component, particular emphasis was placed on including the perspectives of clients and family members in the RPE. Design: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the planned focus groups with clients and family members were altered to telephone and zoom contact and questionnaires were distributed through an online system. Method: Following a literature review and scoping, a research prioritization questionnaire to all stakeholders was designed with input from clients on the content. The results were analyzed with client and family member involvement. Results: The following research priority themes were agreed from 259 responses 'Effective rehabilitation,' 'Access to services and the rehabilitation pathway,' 'The impact of brain injury' and 'The facts and figures.' Clients and families suggested the themes were interlinked. The involvement of clients throughout the research process, rather than as solely 'research participants,' was highlighted as crucial. Conclusions: The themes now form the core part of our research work for this strategic phase of our service. Our clients and their families are at the center of these priorities. Researchers will have to provide evidence of their PPI plan to our Ethics Committee and we will examine how we can support our clients in this process of being more prominent stakeholders in service research.