College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

The Glasgow Arthritis Involvement Network (GAIN) is a group of people living with arthritis and related conditions who inform and actively collaborate in rheumatology research conducted at the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation in the University of Glasgow.  We are committed to conducting research that reflects the needs and views of people with these conditions to ensure the research questions we ask are relevant and impactful.

 GAIN members collaborate with researchers about what research we should do, how we should go about it and how we can share it with the public.  Members are enthusiastic individuals who engage with scientists, academics, and healthcare professionals, collaborating and contributing to various aspects of the research including reviewing funding proposals and lay summaries, membership of project teams, designing participant information sheets and participating in public engagement development.  The group is based in Glasgow but is happy to include members from across Scotland. 

 Contact details:

Email address - GAIN@glasgow.ac.uk

Website - https://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/iii/research/clinicalresearch/getinvolved/

This group presents a rare opportunity to involve patients in research questions and protocols early in the collection of evidence. The group is made up of people with lived experience of COVID and Long COVID.  The MVLS COVID PPIE group is based in Glasgow but welcomes members from across Scotland.  The group meets eight times a year to review the design and delivery of COVID studies.

More information from the Conversations about Covid - Event Summary, at the Arcadia Festival can be found on this link.

Contact details: MVLS-PPIE@glasgow.ac.uk

A Patient Advisory Group (PAG) of people living with multiple Long Term Conditions (LTCs) or representing people with LTCs supports the PERFORM study.  The PAG provides advice on the development and study of a rehabilitation programme for people living with LTCs.  The group is based in the Universities of Leicester and Glasgow and would welcome members from across the UK.  The group meets four times a year via ZOOM. 

Contact details: tracy.ibbotson@glasgow.ac.uk

Wesite details: Perform Patient Advisory Group

The MVLS Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group is led by a strong steering committee made up of learned patients, carers and members of the public from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.  The group is based in Glasgow but is happy to include members from across Scotland.  Members of the steering committee review research related documents such as funding proposals, lay summaries, PPI plans, consent forms, patient information leaflets, public engagement plans, recruitment strategies. This group meets five times a year (currently via ZOOM) but can review via email.

Contact details: MVLS-PPIE@glasgow.ac.uk

A Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group, comprised of patients and carers with lived experience of heart failure and heart disease has been set up to advise on studies about a rehabilitation programme for people with heart failure. The lay members provide a valuable insight into recruitment methods and the dissemination of findings to stakeholder and patient groups. The group is based in Glasgow but is happy to include members from across the UK.  PPI meetings are held four times a year.

Contact details: tracy.ibbotson@glasgow.ac.uk

The NRS Primary Care Network PPI group was set up in 2016 to meet patient needs and ensure the voice of the patient is heard in research. It is based in Glasgow but welcomes members from across Scotland.  Researchers can present lay summaries, patient materials, and draft publications to the group who provide practical suggestions on how to recruit patients and improve study materials.  The group meets four times a year but feedback can be provided by email.   

Contact details: NRSPrimarycCareNetworkAdmin@dundee.ac.uk

More information:  NRS Primary Care