Using an online survey to paint a picture of service user involvement in the field of Healthcare Associated Infection Research

2012 Conference

Abstract: This poster will present the results of an online questionnaire survey of researchers working in the field of Healthcare Associated Infections. The survey asks participants to provide data on: the level and types of patient and public involvement (PPI) included in current and recent research; researchers’ experiences of PPI; perspectives on the benefits and challenges in involving the public; and views on what might be done to increase levels of PPI. For researchers indicating that they have not included patients or the public in their research, the survey aims to ascertain the perceived barriers and how these may be overcome.

The survey will be emailed in April 2012 to 150 researchers identified through existing contacts of the HCAI Research Network and those who have published research in the Journal of Infection Prevention and Journal of Hospital Infection. In addition, a link to the survey will be promoted via the Infectious Diseases Research Network and placed on the websites for the HCAI Research Network and its Service User Research Forum (SURF).

The poster will present the results from the survey using graphical representations and an accompanying interpretation of the findings from members of SURF.

The Service User Research Forum is a group of service users with an interest in reducing Healthcare Associated Infections through research. Members are actively involved in a variety of research actives from reviewing funding applications and patient information, to working as part of the research team as service user researchers.