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DCR PPI program

Integrating Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) into clinical research is increasingly important but also complex. While many researchers aim to include PPI, it remains a relatively new and often misunderstood field in Switzerland. As a result, researchers frequently face structural, methodological, and practical challenges when attempting to implement PPI independently.

The DCR PPI Program offers a comprehensive and structured solution, enabling researchers to move beyond isolated efforts and build meaningful, high-quality involvement into their projects.

Implementing PPI independently can be time-consuming and resource intensive. Common challenges include administrative burden, unclear roles, difficulties in ensuring meaningful engagement, and risks of tokenistic or biased involvement. Building sustainable PPI structures requires expertise, training, and infrastructure. These are resources that are often limited within tight project timelines.

By working with the DCR PPI team, researchers gain access to an established ecosystem that simplifies and strengthens the entire process.

Access to trained PPI contributors
DCR established PPI panel brings together members of the public who have been trained in clinical research and PPI. DCR PPI contributors come from diverse backgrounds, with a variety of languages, ages, cultures, and genders. While not intended to be representative of the entire population, this diversity is a strength that brings fresh perspectives and wide range of opinions that help challenge, inform, and strengthen researchers’ thinking and projects.

Training for both researchers and PPI contributors
DCR provides targeted training for both research teams and PPI contributors, fostering mutual understanding, clear expectations, and effective collaboration. This dual approach supports long-term capacity building and promotes a culture of high-quality PPI. In the end, it allows research teams and PPI contributors to really focus on how to make the research project more patient-centered and to improve its quality and relevance

Methodological and strategic guidance
DCR PPI team supports your project from start to finish, including defining PPI objectives, selecting appropriate involvement strategies, designing recruitment processes, planning budgets, or documenting impact.

Reduced administrative burden
DCR PPI team can assist with coordination, documentation, panel management, compensation processes, and compliance requirements, allowing you to focus on research rather than logistics.

Stronger grant applications
Funding bodies increasingly expect robust PPI strategies. DCR PPI team helps you design credible, well-aligned plans that enhance the competitiveness of your proposals.

Risk mitigation and quality assurance
We help avoid common pitfalls such as tokenistic engagement, non-representative panels, ethical issues, and budgeting errors, ensuring that PPI adds genuine value to your research.

Long-term capacity building
Beyond individual projects, we support the development of sustainable skills and institutional expertise in patient-centered research.

A structured approach to meaningful involvement

The DCR PPI team ensures that PPI is not just included—it is thoughtfully and strategically integrated into your study design, enhancing both the scientific quality and the patient and societal relevance of your research.

If you want to benefit from the DCR PPI program, please contact us using the DCR contact form.

DCR Contact Form

Support Modules

PPI in funding applications

Module Summary

This module is intended for clinical researchers preparing research funding applications in which Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is encouraged or increasingly expected but not formally required.

By the end of this module, participants will be able to develop a meaningful PPI plan, strengthening the relevance, feasibility, and potential impact of their research proposal.