Patient and community groups

Genuine engagement with patient groups and other stakeholders can add value to your research by providing new insights into your research questions, allow discussion of the potential implications with those most affected and ensure your research will help reach its full potential for health improvement.

Working with patient and community groups

Awareness and sensitivity are obvious but crucial aspects. If you don't have any experience of engaging with patients, community groups or users, finding someone with that experience is a key first step. Others in your group, institution or field may be able to help, and contacting a relevant charity or patient group can yield advice and opportunities to engage.

For researchers looking to develop their patient and public involvement activities, INVOLVE has a growing resource library to help you collaborate, consult and involve patients.

To find links to charities and patient groups of relevance to your research, visit the member pages of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), Genetic Alliance UK or the support group section of Patient UK.

For further support and advice on getting involved with patient and community groups, please contact us.

Case study

• Doctor, it hurts… all the time: The London Pain Consortium

Training and support

For further support and advice on getting involved with patient groups, please contact us.