Patient participation groups in general practice in the National Health Service

General practice remains the organizational hub of first level health services in the United Kingdom. Patient participation groups are probably the most well known model for public participation in this setting and, although still not widespread, they have been a slowly expanding area of development for almost three decades. This paper sets out to critically asses patient participation groups in general practice by considering the context of their development and reviewing the research literature about groups. Critical issues needing more study and key methodological challenges are then discussed. Patient participation groups have been a somewhat shifting and contested phenomenon, embracing trends and changing as policy priorities have changed over the years. There is some evidence to think that they might have potential as a local element within a public participation strategy in the National Health Service. However, the field studies are very limited and more research of a better quality is needed. The state of knowledge is not adequate to be able to say with any confidence if or how such groups should be developed. A better understanding is needed of the public's perspectives on this and other models of participation. There are many other questions to do with patient participation groups' purpose, equitable access, and effectiveness that need to be addressed. The methodological challenges include issues of how to involve all stakeholders in the research process; and how to study less tangible aspects of general practice organization, such as culture and power, that effect the public's participation.