Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Patients and the public have an integral role in educating healthcare professionals. Authentic partnerships between higher education institutions and patients and the public are essential. This study examined key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and pu...

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Main Authors: Megan Cullen, Cathal Cadogan, Susmi George, Siobhan Murphy, Siobhan Freeney, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Judith Strawbridge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-04-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03373-z
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author Megan Cullen
Cathal Cadogan
Susmi George
Siobhan Murphy
Siobhan Freeney
Robbie Fitzpatrick
Judith Strawbridge
author_facet Megan Cullen
Cathal Cadogan
Susmi George
Siobhan Murphy
Siobhan Freeney
Robbie Fitzpatrick
Judith Strawbridge
author_sort Megan Cullen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Patients and the public have an integral role in educating healthcare professionals. Authentic partnerships between higher education institutions and patients and the public are essential. This study examined key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement (PPI) including the nature of the involvement and requirements for partnership. Methods Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit key stakeholders, including patients and members of the public involved in health professions education, and academics interested in PPI. Focus groups were held with patient and public participants, providing the opportunity to gain multiple perspectives in an interactive group setting. Academics with an interest in PPI were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Topic guides were derived from the literature and piloted prior to data collection. Focus groups and interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. All data was audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and thematically analysed. Results Four focus groups were conducted involving 23 patient and public participants (median number of participants per focus group of 6). Nine interviews were conducted with academics (face-to-face [n = 8] or by telephone [n = 1]). Five themes were developed: previous experiences of PPI, training requirements, challenges/barriers to PPI, facilitators of PPI and future ideas for PPI. All participants held positive views of the value of PPI. Participants had mixed views in terms of training, which depended on the level of involvement, but similar views on the challenges and facilitators for PPI in education. There was agreement that PPI requires institutional vision and investment to build strong relationships and a culture of PPI best practice. Conclusions There is a need for more strategic and formal involvement of patients and the public to ensure that that PPI becomes sustainably embedded in health professions education.
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spelling doaj.art-edc7646eb90f4a26bc342531e75a20dd2022-12-22T01:07:11ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202022-04-0122111110.1186/s12909-022-03373-zKey stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative studyMegan Cullen0Cathal Cadogan1Susmi George2Siobhan Murphy3Siobhan Freeney4Robbie Fitzpatrick5Judith Strawbridge6School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandSchool of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College DublinSchool of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandDepartment of Surgery, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont HospitalPatient and Public RepresentativePatient and Public RepresentativeSchool of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in IrelandAbstract Background Patients and the public have an integral role in educating healthcare professionals. Authentic partnerships between higher education institutions and patients and the public are essential. This study examined key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement (PPI) including the nature of the involvement and requirements for partnership. Methods Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit key stakeholders, including patients and members of the public involved in health professions education, and academics interested in PPI. Focus groups were held with patient and public participants, providing the opportunity to gain multiple perspectives in an interactive group setting. Academics with an interest in PPI were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Topic guides were derived from the literature and piloted prior to data collection. Focus groups and interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved. All data was audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and thematically analysed. Results Four focus groups were conducted involving 23 patient and public participants (median number of participants per focus group of 6). Nine interviews were conducted with academics (face-to-face [n = 8] or by telephone [n = 1]). Five themes were developed: previous experiences of PPI, training requirements, challenges/barriers to PPI, facilitators of PPI and future ideas for PPI. All participants held positive views of the value of PPI. Participants had mixed views in terms of training, which depended on the level of involvement, but similar views on the challenges and facilitators for PPI in education. There was agreement that PPI requires institutional vision and investment to build strong relationships and a culture of PPI best practice. Conclusions There is a need for more strategic and formal involvement of patients and the public to ensure that that PPI becomes sustainably embedded in health professions education.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03373-zHealth professions educationPatient and public involvementPatient EducatorPatient Partner
spellingShingle Megan Cullen
Cathal Cadogan
Susmi George
Siobhan Murphy
Siobhan Freeney
Robbie Fitzpatrick
Judith Strawbridge
Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study
BMC Medical Education
Health professions education
Patient and public involvement
Patient Educator
Patient Partner
title Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study
title_full Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study
title_short Key stakeholders’ views, experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions’ education: a qualitative study
title_sort key stakeholders views experiences and expectations of patient and public involvement in healthcare professions education a qualitative study
topic Health professions education
Patient and public involvement
Patient Educator
Patient Partner
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03373-z
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