Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Richard

Richard has been a patient and public representative for about 13 years. He got involved after being diagnosed with cancer. During treatment, he kept a diary that was passed from the health professionals and researchers treating him to the chief executive of a national cancer charity, who invited him to help with some research about information-seeking habits of patients.

  • Background

    Richard is single and formerly worked as a senior manager in local government before giving up work to do patient and public involvement. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Andrew

    Andrew became a lay member on a local research network board after responding to an advertisement in a national newspaper. He thought it would be a good use of his time and the skills he had gained in his career.

  • Background

    Andrew is retired, but he used to work as a teacher before he became assistant director of children’s services. He is married. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Derek

    Derek has been a patient PPI representative in health research for about 13 years. He got involved after recovering from throat cancer.

  • Background

    Derek is married. He used to work as a teacher before becoming a freelance public and patient involvement (PPI) training facilitator. Ethnic background: White/Scottish.

  • Age at interview 62
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Roger B

    Roger has been involved in health and medical research in sarcoma since he became a patient advocate in 2002. He also founded Sarcoma UK, a national charity that aims to provide information and support for patients with the condition, and raises funds for research.

  • Background

    Roger is married and has three daughters, aged 37, 35 and 28, and four grandsons. He is a former television producer and journalist, and has worked as a consultant with...

  • Age at interview 67
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Nadeem

    Nadeem has been trying to get involved as a patient and public representative in health research for about five years, but so far has been unsuccessful.

  • Background

    Nadeem is married with two children, aged 29 and 27. He used to work in local government and now works as an assistant manager in a small retail outlet. Ethnic...

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Dave G

    Dave has been doing PPI in health research for about four years. He started as a member of a community panel working to improve patients experience in hospital before getting involved with a research project.

  • Background

    Dave is married and has one daughter, who is 30. He is retired, but worked as a deputy head teacher in a junior school. Before that, he trained as a...

  • Age at interview 67
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Maxine

    Maxine has been involved in PPI in health research for about 15 years. She has been involved in various aspects of PPI, including a Cochrane review on vitiligo on which she is the lead author.

  • Background

    Maxine is a retired academic librarian. She is married with two children, aged 48 and 42, and has two grandchildren. Ethnic background: Jamaican/British.

  • Age at interview 72
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Jennifer

    Jennifer has been involved as a patient and public representative in health research for about five years. She became involved after she began caring for her mother when she developed dementia.

  • Background

    Jennifer is married and has two children, aged 38 and 36. She is a housewife. Ethnic background: Welsh/Jewish.

  • Age at interview 58
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Francesco

    After having a heart operation, Francesco decided to give up his job. There is a history of heart problems in his family, so he wanted to do things he was passionate about while he still could. He has been a patient and public representative in health research for about 11 years.

  • Background

    Francesco is married with two children, aged 21 and 18. He is retired, but previously worked as a manager of a residential children’s home. Ethnic background: Italian.

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Male