Patient involvement in a qualitative meta-synthesis: lessons learnt.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

Background:

• Patient involvement in systematic reviews is recognized as good practice.
• There is a notable lack of standardized, accessible training for patient research partners (PRPs) in systematic reviews.
• This study addresses the need for evidence on effective patient involvement in qualitative meta-synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences and reflections of PRPs involved in a qualitative systematic review.
• To identify how patient involvement in qualitative systematic reviews can be improved in the future.
• To develop recommendations and training guidelines for researchers to effectively collaborate with PRPs.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory questionnaire was administered to eight PRPs who participated in a qualitative meta-synthesis.
• Open-ended questions focused on training received, enjoyment, and suggestions for process improvement.
• Reflections from PRPs were used to develop recommendations for future patient involvement.

Main Results:

• PRPs emphasized the need for clear instructions, plain English explanations, and practical examples in training.
• Face-to-face training and sufficient time for data immersion were preferred by PRPs.
• Benefits for PRPs included skill development, increased confidence, and knowledge gain; PRPs desired feedback on their contributions.

Conclusions:

• Effective patient involvement in qualitative systematic reviews requires tailored training, clear communication, and adequate support.
• Addressing PRP needs for training, time, and feedback is crucial for successful collaboration.
• The study provides practical recommendations and training guidelines to enhance researcher-PRP collaboration in qualitative meta-synthesis.