Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41749287›Full record

ArticleResearch involvement and engagement2026

Engaging adults with severe mental illness in research: considerations and practical recommendations for meaningful patient and public involvement.

Emily Shoesmith, Petal Petersen Williams, Jennifer Sweetman, Lisa Huddlestone, Jodi Pervin, Simon Hough, Susan Croft, Steven Dexter, Coleen Scothorne, Elena Ratschen

Abstract readLetter
In one paragraph

Article in Research involvement and engagement, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Emily ShoesmithDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK. emily.shoesmith@york.ac.uk.
Petal Petersen WilliamsDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
Jennifer SweetmanDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
Lisa HuddlestoneDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
Jodi PervinDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.
Simon HoughPatient and Public Involvement Panel Member, England, UK.
Susan CroftPatient and Public Involvement Panel Member, England, UK.
Steven DexterPatient and Public Involvement Panel Member, England, UK.
Coleen ScothornePatient and Public Involvement Panel Member, England, UK.
Elena RatschenDepartment of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK.

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Research NIHR200607
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatient and public involvement (PPI) in mental health research is essential but presents unique challenges, particularly when engaging adults with severe mental illness (SMI). This report focusses on the process, benefits, and challenges of involving adults with lived experience of SMI as active partners within a five-year research programme aimed at co-producing a new evidence- and theory-based intervention to support smoking behaviour change following mental health inpatient care. It summarises our PPI strategy, the lived experience insight provided, and practical recommendations for facilitating meaningful involvement of people with SMI throughout the research process.

methodsWe reflect on our approach to PPI within the research programme. Involvement spanned the entire research programme, from intervention design to dissemination. The research team reflected on the PPI participants' experience via informal feedback, meeting notes, and reflective team discussions. These reflections informed the identification of practical considerations and recommendations.

resultsPPI was crucial to the research and had a powerful, meaningful impact, with group members playing a key role in shaping participant-facing materials and intervention resources. Success was supported by early planning, dedicated facilitation, sustained relationship-building, and clear communication. Challenges included balancing meaningful input with accessibility, accommodating individual needs and preferences, and supporting varying levels of engagement due to participants' ongoing mental health experience.

conclusionInvolving adults with SMI in research is both feasible and valuable, and requires careful planning, flexibility, and support. This report highlights the importance of relational approaches and tailored support to enable meaningful contributions, offering practical guidance for researchers developing inclusive PPI strategies in mental health trials involving complex populations.

Indexed as

Inpatient careMental healthPatient and public involvementSevere mental illnessSmoking cessation

Identifiers

PMID41749287
PMCPMC12937524

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.