As part of its commitment to conduct high quality, applied health and social care research, a team of experts from NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey, Sussex (ARC KSS) have produced a guide for researchers, services and commissioners to clarify what co-production really means, how it differs from Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) and how they can use it as part of their research.
A Guide to Co-Production for Researchers, Service and Commissioners, was written and designed following discussions with a range of people from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The majority of people that spoke to us - which included project managers, clinicians, researchers and doctoral students - said they wanted a short guide on what co-production really means and how it differs from patient and public involvement.
Dr Nadia Brookes, ARC KSS Co-production Theme Lead, explains:
“Co-production brings together researchers, practitioners, commissioners and members of the public to collaborate to develop their research. The aim is to get everyone to work in equal partnership with shared responsibility and power throughout. And, by working collectively, we can make sure that we are asking the right questions and delivering services that meet the needs of our local population.
“This guide is intended as an introduction. It provides a springboard for anyone enthusiastic to learn about co-production and how to embed it in their work. It includes information on how the ARC KSS co-production theme can support them as well as some useful resources and further reading options.”
The ARC KSS is one of 15 across England, each made up of local providers of health and social care, commissioners, universities and third sector organisations. These collaborations work together to conduct high quality applied health and social care research that address questions specific to their region. The ARC KSS has eight themes of which co-production is a crosscutting theme, applicable to all areas of research and its implementation.
Download a free copy of A Guide to Co-production for Researchers, Services and Commissioners.
For further information or if you want to discuss how the team can help, please get in touch with:
