Shape research

Everyone benefits from research. This not only includes scientific research in laboratories, but also research into health and social care. Research provides evidence about what works best. Patients, carers, people who use social care services and health and social care professionals all use this evidence to make decisions about treatments and care.

When the public gets involved in research, they work alongside researchers to help shape:

• what research gets done

• how it’s carried out

• and how the results are shared and applied in practice.

Being involved is not the same as taking part in research. It's not about taking part in a trial or study to test a new treatment or care option. It’s about being a member of the research team that works together to design and run the study.