Our Public Research Involvement Forums take the form of virtual coffee/tea sessions and the aim is to create a space for members of the public interested in medical and clinical research to come together and have a chat. Each Forum is hosted by a member of the public that is currently involved in medical technology research, and they loosely steer the conversation in a broad theme. It is highly likely the conversation could veer off in any exciting or hilarious direction but we’ll try to stay a course that works for everyone.
What is the purpose of these events?
We would like to increase the awareness and understanding of what patients, carers and members of the public can contribute to the development of medical devices, and to how they are tested to make sure they are safe and they work.
We would also like to make sure that medical device developers make technology that is inclusive, and will deliver the same positive outcomes for all patients; as well as technology that is sustainable. We can only achieve this by having a large group of patient and public contributors to support us.
How it works
Our Public Research Involvement Forums will be held monthly. Each month will focus on a specific topic which our public contributors will explore in detail and you will be invited to respectfully share your experiences, concerns or ask any questions relating to the topic.
- We intend to use the Zoom platform to deliver these sessions which will be recorded and shared on our YouTube channel and website.
- If you do not want to be identified, you will be able to switch off your video and/or change your name on the video for that session. You can ask questions via the chat or Q&A windows.
- If you are worried about your internet connection, we will provide a landline number to dial in to the session. The minutes used will be included in your mobile phone or landline plan, if your subscription includes at least 60 mins a month.
What’s in it for me?
You will hear from other patient and public contributors on the projects they have worked on, the tasks and activities they have been asked to do, as well as the outcome of their involvement.
We also expect that some researchers will understand these sessions, and they will also be able to tell you how the patient and public contribution has made a difference to their work.
What do I need to do now?
Please sign up to the topic and date of your choice (see list below) and spread details of this event within your community.
- Monday, 23rd May 2022 – What does patient and public involvement & engagement (PPIE) for clinical research mean? [WATCH SESSION] Join this session to find out how patient and public contributors work with clinical/medical researchers and companies, and how this is relevant to you.
- Monday, 20th June 2022 – Barriers to becoming a patient and public contributor. [WATCH SESSION] Join this session for an open discussion on factors that have put you off or stopped you from contributing to research.
- Monday, 18th July 2022 – What does a patient and public contributor do? [WATCH SESSION] Join this session to hear what tasks and activities other contributors have undertaken, the roles and responsibilities they have taken on, and their experiences this work.
- Thursday, 29th September 2022 – Help! I have been asked to review a funding application. [WATCH SESSION] Join this session for first-hand accounts, tips and suggestions for reviewing funding applications for a research team or medical device company
- Friday, 28th October 2022 – Decoding Research Findings. [WATCH SESSION] Join this session to gain a better understanding of the patient/public contributor role in how research findings are published and distributed.
- Tuesday, 22nd November 2022 – What is a research protocol? [WATCH SESSION] Join this session for tips on how to find your way around a research protocol, and how you can contribute to its design.
- Friday, 9th December 2022 – Patient and public contributor experiences. [WATCH SESSION] Join this session to listen in on the good, the bad and the ugly experiences from some of our members.
- Wednesday, 25th January 2023 – How does my contribution make a difference? [WATCH SESSION] Join this session to find out the impact and difference other contributors have made through their input on various medical technology projects. We will also aim to secure some researchers and companies on this session.
- Thursday, 16th February 2023 – Becoming a patient and public contributor. [WATCH SESSION] Join this session to find out how you can make a difference, what training you can access and what you can expect from us. As this is the last scheduled session, you will have the opportunity to suggest more topics for us to explore.