Service Users perspectives in PROMISE and research

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Patient Engagement
• Mental Health Services Research

Background:

• The PROMISE (PROactive Management of Integrated Services and Environments) project, established in 2013, aims to decrease the use of force in mental health settings.
• Individual experiences of service users can drive significant change within healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact and effectiveness of coproduction through Patient Advisory Groups (PAGs) within the PROMISE initiative.
• To highlight the value of patient innovators and problem-solvers in shaping healthcare research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of two distinct Patient Advisory Groups (PAGs) involving service users with lived experience.
• Utilizing a participatory qualitative approach for the first PAG to shape research questions and study design.
• The second PAG provided project direction, reviewed policies (e.g., Seclusion and Segregation), and contributed to funding applications.

Main Results:

• The first PAG significantly influenced the design of a qualitative study, ensuring sensitivity, methodological robustness, and ethical soundness.
• The second PAG contributed to policy review and development, impacting frontline practices, and aided in a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funding application.
• An evaluation of the second PAG revealed high patient satisfaction and a desire for continued involvement, leading to Trust financial support and plans for expansion.

Conclusions:

• Patient Advisory Groups are instrumental in coproducing research and improving healthcare services by integrating lived experience.
• Meaningful patient involvement enhances the relevance, ethical integrity, and practical impact of healthcare initiatives.
• The PROMISE project demonstrates a successful model for empowering patients as active partners in healthcare innovation and decision-making.