Who are we and what is this research? We are a group of researchers who are working on a nationally funded project to develop an approach that supports parents of young children regarding infant feeding practises and behaviours. These include patterns of breastfeeding, formula feeding, solid food intake, and feeding other complementary foods and liquids. We are called Team CHErIsH (Choosing Healthy Eating for Infant Health study). We invite you, parents, mothers and fathers, aunts, uncles and grandparents of children to work with us in our research, by getting involved in our research. We want to create an energetic partnership between you and Team CHErIsH so that the infant feeding insights, views and experiences of parents, grandparents aunts and uncles will guide the development of our research, influence the planning and delivery of infant feeding support services in ways that are accessible and meaningful to the public.
Who is conducting this research? This project is funded by the Health Research Board. The team consists of a national multidisciplinary team with backgrounds in Psychology, Health Psychology, Health Behaviour Change and Health Economics. Our team members include:University College Cork: Professor Patricia Kearney, Dr Janas Harrington, Dr Sheena McHugh, Dr Karen Matvienko Sikar and Ms Lisa Delaney National University of Ireland, Galway : Professor Molly Byrne, Dr Caroline Heary Dr Edel Doherty, Dr Michelle Queally, Dr Elaine Toomey, Ms Marita Hennessy Trinity College: Professor Catherine Hayes
What do we mean by Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research?PPI is the term used to describe the active and meaningful involvement of service users, carers and the public in working together with researchers to develop research which is relevant and beneficial to patient and public needs. It is the umbrella term used to describe a process whereby service user, carers and the public are empowered and enabled to inform and influence the commissioning, planning, delivery and evaluation of health and social care services in ways that are relevant and meaningful to them. PPI is about ensuring that their knowledge, expertise and views are heard, listened to and factored into decisions, plans and developments. PPI differs from other activities in research, for example see picture below. Participation is where people take part in a research study (for example complete a questionnaire). Engagement is where information and knowledge about research is provided and disseminated (for example inviting people to an open day to find out about research). Whereas Involvement (PPI) is where members of the public are actively involved in research projects and in research organisations (for example commenting and developing patient information leaflets or other research material).
