An impact evaluation of the Health Determinants Research Collaboration Medway Public Advisory Group

A new public health initiative funded Health Determinant Research

Collaborations (HDRC) across UK local authorities (LA) to address

health inequalities, enable LA capacity of evidence-based decisions

to improve public health outcomes. Patient and public involvement

(PPI) is integral to ensure local needs and priorities are appropriately

met. HDRC Medway’s Patient Advisory Group (PAG) are

Medway PPI representatives. This qualitative evaluation gathers

insights from the first PAG cohort June 2023 - October 2024 to

inform upcoming years and provide recommendations to effectively

integrate PPI within public health initiatives. Semi-structured focus

groups were conducted with PAG members (N¼6) via Microsoft

Teams facilitated by a University of Kent researcher. Questions were

co-developed with the HDRC Medway Patient and Public

Involvement and Engagement Lead. Analysis followed thematic analysis

procedures with 2 researchers and the PPI lead to code transcripts,

develop meaningful themes and subsequent

recommendations. 5 main themes identified; positive psychosocial

gain as PAG member, role expectations and understanding

impacted perceived contributions, reiterating PAG’s impact on

wider HDRC Medway aims reinforced perceived value, group management

and communication, personal investments and hopes post

PAG. Insights provide transferable recommendations for PPI collaborators

to understand how to support and enhance PPI efficacy

and engagement in public health. Positive reflections highlight

strengths on experiences and personal value of their contribution

to addressing health inequalities. Common challenges highlighted

adapting administrative practices and for researchers to plan to mitigate

PPI cliff edge and negative fallout. Effective PPI collaboration

requires meaningful direction, clear communication, inclusive facilitation

fostering interpersonal cohesion, reinforcing continued value

and impact to maximise engagement and public health outputs.