I am seeking support to recruit 4 to 6 patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) contributors to form an advisory group for a proposed research project, subject to successful funding through an NIHR Doctoral Award.
The research will use routinely collected NHS health records to investigate how closely GPs follow national guidance on statin prescribing, whether prescribing differs between patient groups, and whether these differences affect subsequent use of NHS services and contribute to health inequalities.
PPIE contributors will work with me throughout the project and help shape how the research is carried out. This will include refining aspects of the research, contributing their lived experience to the interpretation of findings, identifying issues that are important to patients and the public, and co-producing accessible outputs and approaches to sharing the findings. We will also regularly review how PPIE is working within the project and identify opportunities for contributors to have meaningful influence over the research as it develops.
Who are we looking for?
I am seeking 4 to 6 people with experience of taking statins, being offered or prescribed statins through the NHS, living with cardiovascular disease, or supporting someone with relevant experience as a family carer. I would like the group to include people with a range of experiences and backgrounds, including groups that may be underserved by preventive cardiovascular healthcare.
There is evidence of demographic and regional variation in the uptake of and adherence to statins across the UK, as well as differences in statin prescribing between racial and ethnic groups, including evidence of under-prescribing in some groups. A key aim of my research is to investigate whether statin prescribing differs between patient groups and whether these differences may contribute to inequalities in cardiovascular prevention and subsequent healthcare use.
It is therefore important that people from a range of backgrounds are involved in shaping the research rather than these inequalities being investigated solely from a researcher perspective. Contributors will draw on their lived experiences and perspectives to help identify issues that are important to patients and communities, shape the interpretation of observed differences between patient groups, and co-produce approaches to communicating and sharing the findings. This will help ensure that the research considers perspectives from communities who may be particularly affected by inequalities in preventive cardiovascular healthcare.
Contributors will bring their lived experience and perspectives to decisions made throughout the research. No previous research or PPI experience is required, and appropriate support and training will be provided to enable contributors to participate fully.
What time commitment is needed?
The advisory group will meet approximately four times per year throughout the project. Meetings will be held at key stages of the research so that contributors can actively shape how the project develops.
Some meetings will be task-focused, with contributors and the research team working together on specific aspects of the project, such as refining the research, interpreting findings and co-producing accessible research outputs. Other meetings will focus on reflecting together on how PPIE is working within the project, what could be improved, and how the findings can best be shared and used to benefit patients, the public and relevant organisations.
Contributors may also be invited to work with me on specific materials or outputs between meetings where appropriate. Training and support needs will be identified with contributors and provided throughout the project to enable meaningful involvement.
There will also be opportunities for one or two PPIE contributors, if they wish, to be involved in presenting the project and their perspectives on the PPIE partnership at relevant NIHR and Society for Academic Primary Care conferences. Where appropriate, presentations will be developed and delivered jointly with the research team.
Meetings will mainly take place online to enable participation from people in different geographical areas and reduce barriers to involvement. There will also be opportunities for in-person involvement in Oxford where appropriate. The format of involvement will be discussed with contributors to support accessible and meaningful participation.
To express an interest in this project, please email Sophie Cole: [email protected]
The deadline for responses is 13 November 2026.
Reimbursement
Contributors will be paid for their time in line with NIHR PPIE payment guidance. Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with involvement, such as travel for in-person meetings or conference attendance, will also be covered. Payment arrangements and reimbursement of expenses will be discussed clearly with contributors before involvement begins.
Organisation
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford
Contact
Sophie Cole: [email protected]