Embedding PPIE Training in Postgraduate Cancer Research Education

Embedding PPIE Training in Postgraduate Cancer Research Education | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Embedding PPIE Training in Postgraduate Cancer Research Education Laura Richmond, Emma Parsons This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8347079/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of socially responsible research, enhancing relevance, transparency, and impact. Despite strong policy emphasis, researchers often report feeling under-prepared and higher education programs often lack structured opportunities to develop PPIE-related skills. This study evaluated the impact of embedding a dedicated PPIE training “course” within a taught MSc cancer research curriculum, aiming to improve communication skills, conceptual understanding, and attitudes toward engagement. Methods A qualitative design was adopted to capture in-depth student experiences. Seven self-selecting participants who completed six structured PPIE sessions took part in a single 60-minute focus group conducted via Zoom. Sessions included expert-led introductions, case study analysis, and interactive activities such as a “Dragon’s Den” proposal pitch, complemented by patient-led discussions. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework. Two independent researchers coded transcripts, resolving discrepancies through discussion to enhance credibility. Results Participants reported gains in their ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to non-specialist audiences, including adapting language and considering context. The training increased conceptual clarity, enabling students to distinguish between public engagement and involvement, and reframed PPIE as integral to ethical cancer research. Participants highlighted impacts on their career trajectories and demonstrated professional development as more socially responsible cancer researchers. Barriers included timing conflicts with academic workload and lack of formal incentives, while enablers included patient-led sessions and interactive, authentic learning tasks. Conclusions Structured PPIE training strengthens communication skills, fosters empathy, and embeds co-production principles in early-career researchers. Although findings are based on a small, single-institution sample, they highlight the value of integrating PPIE into postgraduate curricula and aligning activities with assessment to normalize engagement as a core academic competency. Embedding authentic patient-partnered experiences early in training can catalyze cultural change, preparing graduates for collaborative research and aligning them with evolving funder priorities and workforce needs. Patient and Public Involvement Cancer Research Education Postgraduate Teaching Science Communication Qualitative Evaluation Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 28 Jan, 2026 Reviews received at journal 12 Jan, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Dec, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Dec, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 17 Dec, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 17 Dec, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 17 Dec, 2025 First submitted to journal 12 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8347079","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":562519725,"identity":"f185f331-89aa-44fd-bbac-6e0ca0e1d5a5","order_by":0,"name":"Laura Richmond","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"","institution":"University of Glasgow","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Laura","middleName":"","lastName":"Richmond","suffix":""},{"id":562519726,"identity":"fec285b0-81a9-4e94-bcbc-c78b25dfd00e","order_by":1,"name":"Emma Parsons","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Glasgow","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Emma","middleName":"","lastName":"Parsons","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-12-12 15:23:09","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8347079/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8347079/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":98641833,"identity":"44a23fc1-15ee-4bff-ad4c-3f5c3ae4aeac","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 18:48:42","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":277005,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"EmbeddingPPIETraininginPostgraduateCancerResearchEducationv4.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/3dd05b71a0c93e84361fafde.docx"},{"id":98641832,"identity":"2de36c61-024f-4c2f-bef5-9432994e45a3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 18:48:42","extension":"json","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":6193,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"008ee5795ab7478bb66f29efb4496824.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/c3b6bb90158be36df1f9849b.json"},{"id":98641835,"identity":"e4123ea6-4f17-44a7-b8d8-739d8fd85984","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 18:48:42","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":116889,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"008ee5795ab7478bb66f29efb44968241enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/94c80a89f106ce0e060af4dd.xml"},{"id":98641837,"identity":"d30fb1b9-33be-4e0d-93e7-e6b5b9f0a3df","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 18:48:42","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":206495,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/e8f1ca44f9e0ac3f44ee5d41.png"},{"id":98775740,"identity":"56a6c9d5-30f3-4cbf-b4aa-3e1907ab89bb","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 12:20:56","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":54786,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/41d19510d06dbd9b87f3e221.png"},{"id":98775068,"identity":"2a6b7fc8-88d8-43a7-b67e-a29f17b8a227","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 12:18:21","extension":"xml","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":110649,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"008ee5795ab7478bb66f29efb44968241structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/7f3c90576874f163592ab764.xml"},{"id":98641838,"identity":"24e16a1d-b833-496f-a0dd-0c7b25051d4f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-19 18:48:42","extension":"html","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":128085,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1/fc735c64938690fe4fafb4e1.html"},{"id":98782624,"identity":"ebc181db-88f5-4309-8061-402a752c3fba","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-22 12:40:39","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":458953,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"EmbeddingPPIETraininginPostgraduateCancerResearchEducationv4.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8347079/v1_covered_ffba62a0-50d8-4bcd-ab0c-2622511387d0.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Embedding PPIE Training in Postgraduate Cancer Research Education","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"research-involvement-and-engagement","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"riae","sideBox":"Learn more about [Research Involvement and Engagement](http://researchinvolvement.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"40900","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/40900/3","title":"Research Involvement and Engagement","twitterHandle":"@MedicalEvidence","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Patient and Public Involvement, Cancer Research Education, Postgraduate Teaching, Science Communication, Qualitative Evaluation","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8347079/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8347079/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePatient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of socially responsible research, enhancing relevance, transparency, and impact. Despite strong policy emphasis, researchers often report feeling under-prepared and higher education programs often lack structured opportunities to develop PPIE-related skills. This study evaluated the impact of embedding a dedicated PPIE training \u0026ldquo;course\u0026rdquo; within a taught MSc cancer research curriculum, aiming to improve communication skills, conceptual understanding, and attitudes toward engagement.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA qualitative design was adopted to capture in-depth student experiences. Seven self-selecting participants who completed six structured PPIE sessions took part in a single 60-minute focus group conducted via Zoom. Sessions included expert-led introductions, case study analysis, and interactive activities such as a \u0026ldquo;Dragon\u0026rsquo;s Den\u0026rdquo; proposal pitch, complemented by patient-led discussions. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke\u0026rsquo;s six-phase framework. Two independent researchers coded transcripts, resolving discrepancies through discussion to enhance credibility.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e Participants reported gains in their ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to non-specialist audiences, including adapting language and considering context. The training increased conceptual clarity, enabling students to distinguish between public engagement and involvement, and reframed PPIE as integral to ethical cancer research. Participants highlighted impacts on their career trajectories and demonstrated professional development as more socially responsible cancer researchers. Barriers included timing conflicts with academic workload and lack of formal incentives, while enablers included patient-led sessions and interactive, authentic learning tasks.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eStructured PPIE training strengthens communication skills, fosters empathy, and embeds co-production principles in early-career researchers. Although findings are based on a small, single-institution sample, they highlight the value of integrating PPIE into postgraduate curricula and aligning activities with assessment to normalize engagement as a core academic competency. Embedding authentic patient-partnered experiences early in training can catalyze cultural change, preparing graduates for collaborative research and aligning them with evolving funder priorities and workforce needs.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Embedding PPIE Training in Postgraduate Cancer Research Education","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-12-19 18:48:37","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8347079/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"59136464427372346651663679745924216009","date":"2026-01-28T15:00:08+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-01-12T11:51:22+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"19013779517217181178947598803911152749","date":"2025-12-29T20:20:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"243338950596761737977942834067962564768","date":"2025-12-18T09:49:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-12-17T16:07:54+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-12-17T16:01:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-12-17T05:19:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Research Involvement and Engagement","date":"2025-12-12T15:04:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"research-involvement-and-engagement","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"riae","sideBox":"Learn more about [Research Involvement and Engagement](http://researchinvolvement.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"40900","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/40900/3","title":"Research Involvement and Engagement","twitterHandle":"@MedicalEvidence","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"1ca23bcb-8a9f-4241-b0bc-276173422a37","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 19th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-19T18:48:37+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-12-19 18:48:37","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8347079","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8347079","identity":"rs-8347079","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}