Patient and public involvement in translational research: Experiences in a UK Biomedical Research Centre

2014 Conference

Abstract: Translational research aims to speed up the process of moving scientific research findings into clinical care for patients. The UK’s 11 Biomedical Research Centres have been funded to conduct translational research and are required to collaborate with patients and members of the public in this process. This presentation will discuss:

• What kinds of patient/public involvement are practised in translational research?
• How can involvement in translational research make a difference?

We will report on the strategy and experiences of involvement in one UK Biomedical Research Centre, focusing on the successes achieved and challenges encountered over one year. Our strategy seeks to engage local communities in the Centre’s research activities and encourage basic and clinical scientists to involve the potential beneficiaries of their  research and improve recruitment to studies.

Successes include establishing a stable patient and public advisory group; increasing the number of lay panels to advise specific research groups; lay led studies of research participant experience; and lay led strategies to promote participation in research. Challenges include dealing with complex bureaucratic hospital and university structures; establishing and sustaining methods of on-going dialogue between scientists and lay people; ensuring representation of diverse communities; and influencing rather than just approving. Not all of these challenges have yet been overcome.

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