Public Involvement in the Evaluation of Local Government Public Health Interventions in the UK: Lessons From PHIRST...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Research
• Health Services Research
• Community Engagement in Research

Background:

• Public involvement in research is increasingly recognized for its value in bringing lived experience.
• Barriers to meaningful public involvement persist, necessitating further understanding of its integration into public health research evaluations.
• Diverse contexts require tailored approaches to embedding public involvement effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how public involvement was integrated within ten evaluations of local government public health initiatives.
• To understand the experiences and reflections of public partners, local government partners, and academic researchers on embedding public involvement.
• To identify facilitators and barriers to meaningful public involvement in public health research.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with public partners (n=12), local government partners (n=13), and academic research team members (n=12).
• The research focused on ten public health intervention evaluations funded by the NIHR PHIRST scheme.
• Interviews explored participants' experiences and reflections on embedding public involvement in these specific research contexts.

Main Results:

• Identified challenges included geographical constraints, tight timelines, role clarification for public contributors, and inadequate training/support.
• All participant groups reported positive impacts of public involvement on individual studies, public partners, and local government practices.
• Practices evolved over the 5-year funding period, but improved awareness of impact requires formalized recording and feedback mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Continued reflection, resource allocation, and structured processes are crucial for implementing, developing, evaluating, and sustaining meaningful public involvement.
• Addressing identified barriers can enhance the effectiveness and impact of public involvement in public health research.
• Investment in training, support, and clear communication is essential for successful public involvement.