Patient and public involvement in research published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy 2015-2021: A scoping review

Ruth Williamson ¹, Helen Atkin ², Oliver Wood ²

⁰Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds, UK.

The British Journal of Occupational Therapy +

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May 8, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research is valuable but underreported. A review of the British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) found only 6% of studies reported PPI, with inconsistent reporting methods.

Area Of Science

Occupational Therapy Research
Health Services Research
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

Background

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) brings valuable lived experience to health and social care research.
PPI can shape evidence generation, informing policies and practices.
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT) now requires PPI reporting, but prior reporting levels are unknown.

Purpose Of The Study

To conduct a scoping review of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research published in the BJOT between 2015 and 2021.
To identify the extent and nature of PPI reporting in BJOT publications prior to the new authorship guidelines.

Main Methods

A scoping review methodology was employed.
An electronic search of BJOT publications (2015-2021) was conducted using relevant keywords.
Data extraction utilized the GRIPP2 (Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public) short form checklist, performed by multiple reviewers.

Main Results

Twenty-five studies (6% of total publications) reported PPI.
Public involvement primarily occurred in steering/advisory groups and study material development/piloting.
Reporting on the aim, outcomes, and critical reflections of PPI activities was low, with consultation and collaboration being the main approaches.

Conclusions

There is a need for consistent PPI reporting, utilizing frameworks like GRIPP2.
Critical reflection on the impact of PPI and acknowledgement of public contributors are essential.
Future research should investigate the impact of BJOT's PPI authorship guidelines.

Keywords:

GRIPP2 Patient and public involvement co-authorship collaboration multiple perspectives reporting PPI