The Institute of Mental Health proudly presents its comprehensive, CPD-accredited Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Training Programme, hosted virtually through Nottingham with a strong national focus on health and care research excellence. Over recent years, patient and public involvement has transitioned from a supplementary consideration to a fundamental prerequisite across clinical investigations, health service evaluations, and academic grant applications. Funding bodies, institutional review boards, and patient communities now rightly expect genuine, well-structured involvement that places individuals with lived experience at the very heart of study designs. This specialized professional development course has been meticulously crafted to empower early-career researchers, clinical fellows, future PPI facilitators, and health professionals with the confidence, foundational knowledge, and practical methodologies needed to embed meaningful public engagement deeply into their everyday academic and clinical work environments.
Core Objectives and Structured Learning Modules
The curriculum is structured across a flexible, multi-week online format designed to accommodate the busy schedules of active healthcare professionals and academic researchers. Participants engage in ten hours of live, interactive learning delivered by seasoned experts, complemented by targeted self-guided study materials and a comprehensive end-of-programme handbook. The syllabus takes attendees on a progressive journey, beginning with the historical evolution and contemporary definitions of public involvement today. Subsequent modules explore critical operational facets such as equitable compensation, inclusive recruitment strategies, effective governance structures, and resource allocation. By breaking down complex theoretical frameworks into actionable steps, the programme equips attendees to design resilient, transparent frameworks that avoid tokenism and genuinely respect the time, wisdom, and emotional labor contributed by public partners.
Enhancing Research Quality Through Lived Experience
Integrating lived experience into health and care research fundamentally transforms study relevance, methodology accessibility, and participant recruitment success. Throughout the specialized sessions, attendees examine real-world case studies demonstrating how patient contributors help shape research questions, refine participant information sheets, and interpret complex clinical findings from a patient-centric perspective. The programme provides safe, reflective spaces to discuss common challenges, such as managing power dynamics, addressing tokenism, and overcoming institutional barriers within large NHS trusts and academic institutions. Participants learn how to collaborate effectively with peer researchers, ensuring that studies remain compassionate, ethically sound, and directly responsive to the real-world needs of the communities they aim to serve. This active exchange elevates the overall scientific rigor and public accountability of modern health investigations.
Collaborative Networking and Professional Accreditation
Fostering a supportive, multidisciplinary community of practice is a core pillar of the Institute's educational mission. Each training cohort is intentionally capped at a small, intimate size to encourage rich peer connections, vibrant discussions, and collaborative problem-solving among participants from diverse healthcare and academic backgrounds. In addition to broad group sessions, specialized smaller group workshops provide tailored guidance on individual research projects and localized implementation hurdles. Upon successful completion of all curriculum components, attendees receive an external CPD accreditation equivalent to a minimum of ten live learning hours, providing a formal, recognized credential for professional development portfolios. This certification verifies advanced competency in designing and delivering high-quality patient and public involvement initiatives across clinical research networks.
Practical Implementation and Future Impact
The ultimate objective of this intensive training programme is to bridge the persistent gap between theoretical public involvement principles and tangible, real-world research practices. As attendees conclude their five-week learning journey, they leave equipped with ready-to-use resource toolkits, strategic templates, and an actionable roadmap tailored to their specific organizational contexts. Whether preparing a major funding bid for a National Health Service trust or designing a community-led mental health evaluation, participants gain the structural competence required to lead lasting cultural changes within their institutions. Secure your place in the upcoming cohort today to elevate your research standards, champion patient-centred values, and drive meaningful advancements in modern healthcare science through impactful collaboration.
Key Event Highlights
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CPD-accredited training programme offering 10 live learning hours and a professional handbook.
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Designed for early-career researchers, clinical fellows, and future PPI facilitators.
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Small cohort sizes ensuring interactive peer networking and personalized feedback.
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Practical modules covering governance, equitable compensation, and inclusive recruitment.
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Guidance on embedding lived experience to enhance research relevance and funding success.
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