Abstract
Introduction
Patient and Public involvement is a cornerstone of the DREAM (Digital and Remote Enhancements for the Assessment and Management of older people) project. An advisory group of 10 diverse older people and carers was established to shape the research through regular discussions and explore inclusive involvement approaches for future work.
Methods
We conducted a reflective process evaluation to highlight the impact of the involvement process on the project and our public partners themselves. We collated impact logs, reflections and feedback from our public partners and an artist recorded the impacts using illustration.
Results
The advisory group:
- helped to lay the foundations of the project and steered its development with their views, knowledge and experiences
- shaped how evidence is captured and analysed so that it is usable, acceptable and makes sense to older people and carers
- provided insights to consider for implementation and shaped our dissemination strategy
Our public partners and researchers also expressed relational impacts such as shared ownership. Public partners joined this project to improve health care for other people. They felt safe to share their experiences and be listened to. It gave them confidence in their health management, and they have built friendships. People also found comfort in the diversity of individuals and sharing common concerns.
Conclusion(s)
Public partners have been instrumental in the development of the DREAM project and supported the programme by being a critical friend beyond the remit of the research. Continued communication and feedback resulted in public partners feeling heard and their suggestions acted upon. Researchers and public partners felt gratitude, ownership and joy working on this project, and finding shared values. Our involvement approaches have shaped reciprocal relationships and had impact on our research culture, forming a foundation to the values of the people it is serving.