BSc (Hons) Nursing Programme Patient Participation Groups

Why Patient Participation Groups Matter

PPGs exist to bridge the gap between academic theory and clinical practice. They give students the opportunity to:

• Hear firsthand accounts of illness, treatment, and recovery.
• Explore the social and emotional dimensions of health.
• Practice patientcentred communication in a safe, supervised setting.
• Develop empathy, cultural competence and reflective practice.
• Contribute to service improvement through feedback and codesign.

Structure of the PPG Component in the Programme

The PPG module runs across the three years of study, with increasing depth and responsibility:

Year 1 Foundations

Students attend introductory sessions with a small group of patients (35 members). Activities include:

• Listening circles where patients share their health journeys.
• Reflective journals focused on personal responses and learning points.
• Basic skills workshops on respectful communication.

Year 2 Development

Students take a more active role, facilitating discussions and helping to identify areas for service improvement. Key tasks are:

• Cocreating meeting agendas with patients.
• Conducting simple surveys to capture patient priorities.
• Presenting findings to clinical mentors for feedback.

Year 3 Integration

In the final year, students lead a PPG project that culminates in a report and presentation to the universitys Clinical Advisory Board. Requirements include:

• Identifying a realworld problem (e.g., improving discharge information).
• Designing an intervention with patient input.
• Evaluating outcomes using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Reflecting on personal development and future nursing practice.

Core Learning Outcomes

Completion of the PPG component enables students to demonstrate the following competencies, aligned with the Nursing Councils standards:

• Professional Communication: Ability to exchange information with patients and families in a clear, compassionate manner.
• Collaborative Care Planning: Involving patients in the creation and review of care plans.
• Critical Reflection: Analysing personal attitudes and biases that may affect patient interaction.
• Quality Improvement: Using patient feedback to suggest evidencebased changes to services.
• Leadership: Guiding multidisciplinary teams to adopt a patientfocused approach.

How Patients Benefit

Patients who join a PPG experience several positive outcomes:

• Recognition of their expertise and lived experience.
• Opportunity to influence future nursing curricula.
• Improved satisfaction with their own care pathways.
• Access to a supportive community of peers and healthcare professionals.

Joining a Patient Participation Group

Patients interested in becoming members can contact the Universitys Nursing Faculty at ppg@nursing.university.edu. The process includes a brief interview, confidentiality briefing, and a commitment to attend at least three meetings per semester.

Assessment and Accreditation

Student performance in the PPG module is assessed through a combination of reflective writing, project reports, and oral presentations. The module carries 20 credits in the overall BSc (Hons) Nursing programme and satisfies the Councils requirement for patientcentred care education.

Future Directions

Our faculty continually reviews the PPG component to ensure relevance and impact. Upcoming innovations include:

• Virtual participation rooms to broaden patient diversity.
• Integration of digital health tools (e.g., patientgenerated outcome measures).
• Collaboration with community organisations for broader health promotion activities.

These enhancements aim to further embed patient voices into the heart of nursing education.