Public & Patient Involvement in Health Research

Public & patient involvement (PPI) in health research has been defined as research carried out 'with' or 'by' members of the public rather than 'to', 'about' or 'for' them. High quality PPI is about active and meaningful engagement with patients, carers, health care professionals, charities, community organisations and other members of the public throughout all stages of the research process.

This Professional Diploma in Public & Patient Involvement in Health Research is intended for existing research or clinical professionals who are seeking the additional knowledge, competencies and skills to employ meaningful PPI in their research. It is also relevant for professionals working in NGOs as well as health service planners.

Over the course of this part-time, one-year, Level-9 programme, students become acquainted with the theories, methods and tools they will need to undertake high quality PPI research. This will include a comprehensive survey of literature and methods, exploration of participatory approaches within a wide variety populations and clinical and community settings, and critical consideration of ethical, power and equity issues inherent in this approach.

The general flow for the programme is online weekly asynchronous assignments (ie, at your own pace, but completed by the end of each week). This is punctuated by 1-2 online synchronous periods per module, where students all come together (online) for 2 hours to do an exercise. And once per month, there is the live (online) tutorial session for working together on progressing your research projects and dealing with any issues that arise ("PPI Club").

There are two in-person/on-campus training blocks, one in the Autumn and one in the Spring/Summer to coincide with the PPI Summer School. The Autumn block is 2 days (Thurs-Fri) on campus in week 7. The Spring Summer block will be 4 days, 2 for methods, 2 for the Summer School. These will be Tues-Fri, 18-21 June 2024.

This programme is practical, offering students the opportunity to design a participatory/PPI project over the course of the year. This allows students to experience the building of partnerships with PPI contributors and codesigning research within a meaningful collaboration. Upon completion of the programme, graduates will have equipped themselves with the knowledge, competencies and skills they will need to succeed at a career in PPI health research.

The Professional Diploma Programme is delivered as a blended learning course, with the majority of learner interaction taking place online, both synchronously (together) and asynchronously (at their own pace). This is punctuated with one on-site training block in Limerick in each semester (total of 2 blocks). Engagement with patient and community voices throughout the course (via co-designed content and co-delivered lectures and workshops) will offer students a unique and relevant opportunity to 'learn as they will practice' in collaboration with those their research will ultimately benefit. Students will bring their real-world research or clinical problems to the programme and will, throughout the course of the programme, co-develop participatory, patient/community-involved solutions.

Year 1

Autumn Semester

BM5053- INTRODUCTION TO PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH FOR PUBLIC & PATIENT INVOLVEMENT (6.00 ECTS)

BM5055- METHODS IN PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH I (3.00 ECTs)

BM5054- PPI RESEARCH PROJECT AND TUTORIAL (6.00 ECTS)

Spring Semester
BM5056- METHODS IN PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH II (6.00 ECTS)
BM6032- ADVANCED PARTICIPATORY HEALTH RESEARCH (6.00 ECTS)

Summer Semester
BM6033- PUBLIC AND PATIENT INVOLVEMENT TRAINING SCHOOL (3.00 ECTS)

Applicants must normally have a first or second class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or other internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant or appropriate subject, or equivalent prior learning that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement. Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements of the University. Garda Vetting required only in cases where individual proposed practicum involves children or vulnerable communities. The University reserves the right to shortlist and interview applicants as deemed necessary.

What to Include with your Application

Delays in receiving these documents will affect the progress of your application.

- Photo or Scanned original copy of your transcripts for all years of study. (Graduates of UL need only provide us with their Student
ID number.)

- Photo or Scanned copy of passport to verify ID and full legal name.

- A copy of your most recent CV

- Applicants who do not have English as their first language may satisfy English Language requirements:

If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice

If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:

• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
AND
• English language competency certificate

1 year part-time.