We have worked with patients and carers to design and develop our research plans from the start of ADMISSION.‌

Early ideas for this Research Collaborative were informed by a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, held in 2017 in Newcastle. Working in collaboration with older people, carers and health and social care professionals, the top priorities for research on multiple conditions in later life were identified.

James Lind Alliance Report: Multiple Conditions in Later Life 

To develop plans for ADMISSION - that focuses on improving understanding of multiple long-term conditions in adult hospital patients of all ages - we therefore held a series of discussion workshops with a new group of patients and carers in the summer of 2020 https://www.newcastlebrc.nihr.ac.uk/challenge-accepted-patient-and-public-involvement-during-covid-19/.

The workshop participants represented a range of ages, geography and ethnicity, as well as having diverse experiences of long-term conditions.  Our discussions centred on the lived experience of multiple long-term conditions, patient priorities and care pathways - each workshop linked to a different part of the planned project.  The workshop discussions highlighted many issues around patient pathways through hospital care - leading to changes in our research plans to include additional qualitative work with patients and carers to enhance our understanding of some of these challenges.

 Qualitative research aims to generate in-depth understanding of people’s experiences - often by asking individuals or small groups of people open-ended questions about aspects of their lives. In ADMISSION, we’re aiming to gain insights into the perceptions of people living with multiple long-term conditions and their experiences of hospital care.

 ADMISSION Public Co-Applicants

We were delighted that two workshop members joined the ADMISSION team as public co-applicants in September 2020 to help guide our research and oversee its conduct and progress. They attend Programme Management Group meetings and are involved in a range of other aspects of the research.

They tell us about their experiences:

Since joining ADMISSION, Ray has also contributed to an online booklet ‘Let’s Talk Research’, sharing insights on his experiences of working with the ADMISSION team as a public co-investigator. ‘Let’s Talk Research’ aims to spark interest and generate conversations about ageing research by enabling patients and the public to learn more about the importance of ageing research and the different ways in which they can contribute. Ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds are given the opportunity to contribute to our research is important to us and it helps us to make sure it’s relevant, useful, and beneficial to everyone. 

The ADMISSION Patient Advisory Group (PAG)

To support the continued contribution of patients and carers to shaping ADMISSION research and its priorities, a patient advisory group was established at the start of the project.  The ADMISSION PAG has 14 members and meets online three times per year.  Our regular discussions with the PAG members are key to ensuring that patient and carer perspectives are at the heart of our research and that they inform all stages - from planning new activities to data interpretation and dissemination. 

Timeline of ADMISSION PPIE activity to date: 

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 Would you like to hear more?

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If you would like to join our mailing list, you can register your details on our online form:Contact | ADMISSION | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)