What we can offer

We are able to offer a service to researchers, primarily at the planning/design stage of a research grant application. This is in the form of commenting on research proposals and draft information aimed at patients/the public from the perspective of members of the public generally.

The group can give its views on areas including research topic importance, consent issues and the participant experience. In many cases, particularly for research involving recruitment of patients, we will also recommend involvement of local service users with experience of the relevant healthcare area, if this has not been addressed already. This will help ensure that the research is more relevant and acceptable to people who should benefit from the research.

For these reasons, we prioritise work that is at an early stage of development, to allow time for meaningful integration of our feedback into the research proposal. A lead time of at least 6 weeks from request submission should be allowed for feedback to be collated from PCPIE members, summarised and returned to researchers.

In some cases we may be able to offer ongoing support for a research proposal that goes on to be funded, in the form of ongoing document reviews and general guidance on public involvement. In a smaller number of cases one of the group may offer to sit on the trial steering panel if required, although please note our resources are very limited in this area and this level of support cannot be guaranteed.

If you would like to request detailed feedback from the PCPIE Group about a grant application which is under development, please complete the support application form here.

Group members will read the form and supporting information and provide written feedback on all relevant aspects. 

If you would like concise feedback from the PCPIE Group about a research idea which is at an early stage, please complete the research idea feedback form here. 

Group members will provide concise feedback on the importance of a research idea.

We do ask that you allow as much time as possible before your funding application submission date, and ask you to bear in mind the 6 week turnaround time outlined above.

PCPIE Recruitment

If you’re a clinical academic looking for an opportunity that involves working with patients and members of the public to understand the practicalities of taking part in clinical research and improving patient care by providing feedback on research studies, then we’d love to hear from you!

PCPIE is currently recruiting clinical members with an interest and experience in clinical research, who can provide technical and clinical expertise to the patient members and input to the feedback given to clinicians on their research. 

Click here for more information on how to apply for the role of PCPIE Group Member (Clinical) – under Volunteer Vacancies.