Engaging and involving people living with diabetes in designing a study about dental implants to replace missing teeth
With the support of a PPI Small Grant, Dr. Ammar Ahmed Zaki’s project aimed to engage people living with diabetes in exploring the connection between diabetes, gum disease, and dental health. From creating accessible recruitment posters to developing a lay-language questionnaire, Dr. Zaki ensured the project was inclusive and patient-centered. This PPI project not only brought essential patient voices into diabetes research but also highlighted the importance of clear communication and thoughtful logistics to make research more relevant and impactful.
Organising My Patient and Public Involvement Project for Diabetes Research
My Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) project focused on exploring the experiences of people living with diabetes concerning gum disease, missing teeth, and tooth replacement. PPI is crucial for ensuring that research remains relevant and beneficial to the target population. Below are the main steps that formed my PPI project.
Creating an Engaging Poster
The first step in recruiting participants was designing an informative and eye-catching poster. I ensured the poster clearly stated the purpose of the project, the importance of patient involvement, and the benefits of participating. Using simple language and visuals, I conveyed the message effectively. I highlighted the specifics, such as who could participate and what they would be doing. These posters were sent to local groups and also put onto the ‘NIHR People in Research’ website.
Developing an Online Questionnaire
To reach a broader audience, I created an online questionnaire and hosted it on the 'NIHR People in Research' website. This platform allowed for national involvement, ensuring my research was visible to a wide audience. When designing the questionnaire, I made sure the questions were straightforward and avoided medical jargon.
Using Lay Language
One of the significant challenges was ensuring that the questionnaire was in lay language. Despite my best efforts, what seemed like lay language to me was still too complex for many participants, especially those for whom English was not a first language. This is something that I will be taking forward to any future projects that I undertake.
Behind-the-Scenes Work
Organising a PPI project involved significant behind-the-scenes work. This included logistical tasks such as booking rooms for focus groups, arranging for audio recorders to document sessions, and ensuring that refreshments were available for participants. These details, while seemingly minor, were crucial for creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for participants.
Conclusion
By meticulously planning and executing these steps, I organised a successful PPI project that genuinely engaged people living with diabetes. This involvement will not only enrich my research but also ensure that the outcomes are patient-centered and practically applicable. The key to a successful PPI project lies in clear communication, inclusivity, and thorough preparation.
Dr Ammar Ahmed Zaki MSci BDS MSc Rest PG Cert TLCP MFDS RCS (Ed)
Email: a.zaki@qmul.ac.uk
Academic Clinical Fellow in Prosthodontics, Barts Health NHS Trust
Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre for Oral Bioengineering,
Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London
Office 2, Floor 4, Royal London Dental Hospital, Turner Street, London E1 1RF