Giving patients a voice: implementing patient and public involvement to strengthen research in sub-Saharan Africa

Patient and public involvement (PPI) is recognised as a valuable tool in improving the quality and relevance of research.1 2 Defined as ‘research being carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them’,2 PPI is a method of involving patients and the public in the design, conduct and dissemination of research and services that affect them, providing for a more democratic approach and patient empowerment.1 3

Active involvement in research and healthcare is very much expected and is well established within many high-income settings. However, in low-income settings, PPI is in its infancy, with few researchers understanding the concept.4 This may lead to a failure to match health need with appropriate research,5 particularly when the research agenda is set by others, leading to acknowledged power imbalances.6 In such…

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