Jump to comment:

• PLR - better to boost PPI
  Malcolm Harrison
  Published on: 8 May 2015

• Published on: 8 May 2015

  PLR - better to boost PPI

  • Malcolm Harrison, Retired lawyer

  The Article states "In health research, funding bodies and academic institutions actively undertake patient and public involvement programmes to ensure that studies adequately reflect the perspectives and input of patients and citizens." I do not agree.

  I have been a member of a research ethics committeee in England for seven years. I do not recognise this statement, nor would my colleagues. In very few cases...

  Show More

  The Article states "In health research, funding bodies and academic institutions actively undertake patient and public involvement programmes to ensure that studies adequately reflect the perspectives and input of patients and citizens." I do not agree.

  I have been a member of a research ethics committeee in England for seven years. I do not recognise this statement, nor would my colleagues. In very few cases does PPI (Patient and Public Involvement) in the research applications we see "adequately reflect the perspectives and input of ... citizens." The predominant reason for this is a n unwillingness to go outside the institution and its familiar sources to the public 'out there'. This is despite the regular requirement to do so of funding bodies and the law.

  If institutions were to comply on a regular and consistent basis, the need for PLR would be confined to what, in my perception, is the very limited number of occasions when it would be practicable.

  Conflict of Interest:

  None

  Show Less

  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

  • Back to top