Public & patient involvement - a moral obligation in medical research

Padraig Cronin; Tate  MacDonald; Jacqueline Jefferies; Emmy Racine

doi:10.33178/SMJ.2025.1.7

Authors

Padraig Cronin School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1594-7359
Tate MacDonald School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Jacqueline Jefferies Mallow Therapy Centre, Mallow, Co. Cork
Emmy Racine PPI Ignite Network @UCC, School of Public Health, University College Cork

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33178/SMJ.2025.1.7

Keywords:

PPI, Public and Patient Involvement, Medical Research, Ethical Discussion

Abstract

Public and patient involvement (PPI) is a research approach that can be defined as conducting research “with” or “by” the public as opposed to the conventional “on” or “to inform” the general public. PPI can involve members of the public being involved throughout the research process from establishing research priorities, through co-designing research methodologies, all the way to outcome interpretation and dissemination. In this article we seek to examine why PPI is a critical piece of the medical research puzzle by improving research planning, as well as providing the patient with a voice to foster impactful outcomes, and demonstrate why it not only generates fruitful research, but is a moral obligation for the individual.

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