What do I want to achieve?

If you are clear about what you want to achieve by involving patients and carers, you’ll be clearer about who to involve, how to involve them and when to involve them. You’ll also be clearer in your communications. This will enable patients and carers to make a more informed decision about whether they want to work with you.

Your reasons for involving patients and carers might include:

• I want help in deciding which areas to focus on

• I’d like to know how important and relevant my research is to people living with the condition I am studying

• I want patients and carers to help me to advocate for the importance of this area of lab based research

• I’d like help in writing the plain English section of my funding application

• I’d like to have more of an understanding of what it’s like to live with the condition I’m studying

• I’d like help to communicate the results of my research