Patient and public involvement in research

Abstract

The increased interest internationally in patient and public involvement (PPI) in health and social care research cannot adequately be understood in isolation. It needs to be seen in the context of broader social and political developments. Emergence of PPI in research reflects major changes in both national and supranational politics and in grassroots social movements. Putting it in context allows us to move on from the tendency to treat participation at all levels in warm terms as like 'mom and apple pie' (Beresford & Croft, 1993). However, the complexity and ambiguity of both the practice and the conceptualization of participation also make it essential to problematize it.

Topics & Concepts