Evaluating the benefit of early patient and public involvement for product development and testing with small companies

Abstract

Abstract Background There is growing understanding of the benefits of patient and public involvement (PPI), and its subsequent evaluation, in research. An online version of the CUBE PPI evaluation framework has been developed. This study sought to use the CUBE to evaluate the value of early PPI with two small healthcare companies during product development. Methods Contributors were recruited online and had lived experience of either Type 1 diabetes or obesity. Two one-hour sessions were run with a company developing a smartphone application to manage diabetes (DEE-EM): one with young people (YP; n = 5) and one with parents (n = 7). Two one-hour sessions were run with a company developing a novel weight-loss product, both with adults (n = 7 in each session). Sessions were facilitated by an independent University researcher and attended by company representatives, who presented their product. One facilitator led the evaluation of the session by giving a demonstration of the CUBE (prior to sending the link out on email) and asking simple questions in the YP session. Results YP rated the session with DEE-EM highly; contributors felt listened to and made suggestions for the company to make improvements. A high proportion of contributors completed the CUBE (80.5% DEE-EM; 93% OMP). Responses were positive to all four CUBE dimensions (in italics). Contributors to all sessions felt there were diverse ways to contribute to the sessions, and that they had a strong voice to add to the discussion. A good balance was achieved regarding whose concerns (public or company) led the agenda, and contributors felt that both companies would make changes based on the discussion. The supportive attitude by both companies resulted in most contributors feeling comfortable participating in PPI sessions with industry, whilst recognising the profit-making aspect of their work. Conclusions We have shown that PPI with small healthcare companies is both feasible and worthwhile. The CUBE framework successfully facilitated the evaluation of the interaction between experts of different knowledge spaces. We have set out recommendations for future projects, including considerations of who should be involved in the sessions and the level of implicit endorsement of the product that participation implies.