Research User Group Newsletter Keele University RUG Summer newsletter 2018 | Page 16

16 ANNUAL EVENT ANNUAL EVENT Improving Implementation Getting our audiences involved... Following a morning focussed on how patient power is needed to improve implementation, the afternoon explored Keele’s success in this, through the JIGSAW-E (osteoarthritis) and STarT Back (back pain) implementation projects. It wouldn’t be a Research Institute event without some audience participation. Project Manager Nicki Evans and (LINK) member John Murphy showcased the role of Patient Champions in the European wide (JIGSAW-E). The progress of (STarT) was presented in a creative and engaging ‘Mastermind’ format which was popular with the audience. This was presented by Laura Campbell (Knowledge Broker) and Kay Stevenson (a Consultant Physiotherapist and NIHR Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow). 17 Helen Duffy, NHS Partnerships and Engagement Manager, was on hand to facilitate. Delegates were asked to think about how they, as an individual, could improve research implementation. Enthusiasm for improving healthcare The consensus around the room was that using networks, exploiting communication methods such as the media, improving clinician’s mind-sets, educating healthcare professionals and ensuring consistency across healthcare practices would make a real difference. The LINK group was mentioned frequently throughout the day. It was first formed over a year ago and today the group comprises of people with a passion and enthusiasm for improving healthcare using the best possible research evidence. The group is tasked with providing guidance to the Impact Accelerator Unit project team by drawing on their knowledge, contacts and experience of the NHS and healthcare practice. Over the last 12 months, Sue Ashby (PPIE Implementation Fellow) has been researching the work of the group and the impact of the patient voice in implementation. Along with Research User Group members Katie Tempest, Ruth Haines and John Haines, who helped Sue with her research project, Sue explained that although there is a lot of literature out there that talks about how we can meaningfully involve patients in research, it isn’t telling us how it has done in implementation. Alternatively, Sue has been researching how to use public and patient involvement and engagement in implementation by reviewing case studies, literature, interviewing patients, researchers and clinicians at Keele, and observing LINK meetings and she presented her initial findings at the meeting. Today the group comprises of people with a passion and enthusiasm for improving healthcare using the best possible research evidence.” All in all, the event was a great success and it was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for public and patient involvement and engagement from not just the patients, but from the academics and stakeholders as well. The work that has been done by the team has ensured that it has become best practice to involve patients when researching healthcare conditions and how treatment is delivered. Now, it’s about opening up a dialogue and changing perspectives of all those involved in research by emphasising the importance of patient power. Now, it’s about opening up a dialogue and changing perspectives of all those involved in research by emphasising the importance of patient power.”