BU Research Blog

According to a new study by King’s College London, involving patients in the design and implementation of research programmes increases the likelihood of studies recruiting to target.  Delays in recruitment are a major reason why some studies fail, so better recruitment means studies are more likely to be successful and run on time and budget.  The authors argue that researchers need to involve patients more comprehensively in research.

Published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the researchers analysed 374 studies registered with the Mental Health Research Network (MHRN). Studies which included collaboration with service users in designing or running the trial were 1.63 times more likely to recruit to target than studies which only consulted service users.  Studies which involved more partnerships – a higher level of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) – were 4.12 times more likely to recruit to target.

More information can be found at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/news/records/2013/September/Patient-involvement-in-research-boosts-study-success.aspx and http://brc.slam.nhs.uk/our-blog/brcu/developing-best-treatments-means-patient-involvement-every-step-of-the-way

Paper reference: Ennis, L. et al. ‘Impact of patient involvement in mental health research: longitudinal study’ British Journal of Psychiatry (Sept 2013) doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.112.119818