Involving patients in developing, refining and testing an implementation strategy to promote asthma self-management using the National Standards for Public Involvement

Background: In 2018, the National Standards for Public Involvement were launched in the UK to guide investigators effectively to include patient and public involvement in research.

Aims and Objectives: To undertake meaningful patient and public involvement in the IMP2ART (IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self-management as RouTine) study using the National Standards.

Methods: Ten patient representatives volunteered to join the IMP2ART patient advisory group with one Lead member. The patient advisory group were supported to contribute to the development and refinement of the implementation strategy through face to face meetings, teleconferences and email. Involvement is guided by the six National Standards.

Results: We advertised the patient advisory group role and provided interested representatives with information of what would be involved (Inclusive Opportunities). The patient Lead is a grantholder for the study and reviewed the grant application and study protocol (Governance). Chairs ensure that patient representatives in meetings contribute to decision making and feedback is provided so representatives can see the impact of their contributions (Working Together). Support is provided for patient representatives who have accessibility needs in order to attend meetings and review documents (Support and Learning, Communications). Feedback from patient representatives’ is collected, recorded and acted upon (Impact).

Conclusions: The standards provided useful guidelines to increase meaningful patient involvement in the IMP2ART study ensuring research benefits the day to day lives of people living with asthma.