Public and Patient Involvement Research Unit, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Health Expect. 2018 Dec;21(6):939-943. doi: 10.1111/hex.12800. Epub 2018 Jun 19.
The majority of studies included in recent reviews of impact for public and patient involvement (PPI) in health research had a qualitative design. PPI in solely quantitative designs is underexplored, particularly its impact on statistical analysis. Statisticians in practice have a long history of working in both consultative (indirect) and collaborative (direct) roles in health research, yet their perspective on PPI in quantitative health research has never been explicitly examined.
To explore the potential and challenges of PPI from a statistical perspective at distinct stages of quantitative research, that is sampling, measurement and statistical analysis, distinguishing between indirect and direct PPI.
Statistical analysis is underpinned by having a representative sample, and a collaborative or direct approach to PPI may help achieve that by supporting access to and increasing participation of under-represented groups in the population. Acknowledging and valuing the role of lay knowledge of the context in statistical analysis and in deciding what variables to measure may support collective learning and advance scientific understanding, as evidenced by the use of participatory modelling in other disciplines. A recurring issue for quantitative researchers, which reflects quantitative sampling methods, is the selection and required number of PPI contributors, and this requires further methodological development. Direct approaches to PPI in quantitative health research may potentially increase its impact, but the facilitation and partnership skills required may require further training for all stakeholders, including statisticians.
最近对公众和患者参与（PPI）对健康研究的影响进行的综述中，大多数研究都采用了定性设计。仅在定量设计中探索 PPI 的情况较少，特别是其对统计分析的影响。在实践中，统计学家在健康研究中一直以来都扮演着咨询（间接）和合作（直接）的角色，但他们对定量健康研究中的 PPI 的看法从未被明确研究过。
从统计角度探讨 PPI 在定量研究的不同阶段（即抽样、测量和统计分析）的潜力和挑战，区分间接和直接 PPI。
统计分析的基础是要有代表性的样本，而通过合作或直接的方式参与 PPI 可以通过支持弱势群体获得和增加参与人口的机会来实现这一目标。承认和重视背景知识在统计分析和决定要测量哪些变量方面的作用可能会支持集体学习和推进科学理解，正如在其他学科中使用参与式建模所证明的那样。定量研究人员面临的一个反复出现的问题反映了定量抽样方法，即 PPI 贡献者的选择和所需数量，这需要进一步的方法学发展。定量健康研究中直接的 PPI 方法可能会增加其影响力，但需要对包括统计学家在内的所有利益相关者进行进一步的促进和伙伴关系技能培训。
