Training for Involvement: What PRPs Need to Thrive

Result sharing from the UK PRP Survey (8)

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research thrives when those involved feel equipped, confident, and valued. Yet our survey reveals that many Patient Research Partners (PRPs) still feel under-supported when it comes to training—both in terms of what’s offered and how it's delivered.

While some participants had taken part in educational workshops, online modules, or received printed guides, a significant number reported receiving no training at all. For those newer to research, this lack of support can make early involvement feel overwhelming or even tokenistic. One-to-one guidance or peer mentorship—which can be a lifeline for newcomers—was rarely offered. Several respondents noted that even when training did occur, it was sometimes too academic, too brief, or not clearly connected to their role as a PRP.

The message from PRPs is clear: training should not be an afterthought. Respondents expressed a strong desire for more accessible, online training—flexible enough to fit around their lives, yet robust enough to build confidence and clarity. These opportunities are especially important for those who may not have a research background and want to understand the basics, such as ethics processes, research tools, and interpreting scientific data.

But training shouldn’t be limited to research knowledge alone. Many PRPs said they would also value opportunities to develop their communication, advocacy, and public speaking skills. Not only would this help them contribute more effectively in meetings, but it would also support them in sharing their experiences, influencing future projects, or even presenting at conferences. This reflects a growing evolution in the PRP role—from contributors to collaborators and, increasingly, co-creators and co-leaders in research.

What’s more, several respondents highlighted that they bring valuable life and work experience to the table—project management, lived expertise, professional communication—yet these skills are not always recognised or built upon. Effective training is about more than knowledge transfer; it’s about building mutual respect, acknowledging strengths, and offering development that is empowering, relevant, and inclusive.

It’s also worth noting that training doesn’t only benefit PRPs. It’s equally important for researchers and host organisations. Creating equitable and collaborative partnerships depends on everyone understanding how to work together respectfully and effectively. This includes offering induction, co-produced onboarding materials, and clear expectations. Training for research professionals should also include best practices for inclusive communication, power sharing, and how to meaningfully integrate patient input at all stages of the research cycle.

Investing in training for both PRPs and researchers sends a powerful signal that involvement is not tokenistic, but meaningful—and worth doing well. As PRP roles continue to grow and diversify, training must grow with them.

As one PRP put it:

“Training for researchers such that they treat lay partners equally and with respect, plus training for new partners to provide confidence to make their contributions.”

Isn’t that the environment we’re all aiming for?