What contribution do Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) representatives offer the trial team?
Offering the crucial patient perspective to identify practical issues before recruitment starts.
Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) representatives are included in the trial team to inject a vital, non-scientific viewpoint based on lived experience. Their core contribution is providing the crucial patient perspective during the planning stages of the research. This firsthand insight allows the team to assess the practicality and patient-centricity of the proposed trial design. By flagging potential challenges related to accessibility, visit burden, clarity of information, or comprehension of study procedures, PPI representatives help identify practical issues that might otherwise lead to poor recruitment or high dropout rates. Addressing these concerns proactively—often resulting in necessary protocol amendments—before participant recruitment even commences ensures the trial is feasible and respectful of participant time and experience.
