I often speak about the importance of people with lived experience being involved in all stages of research. We shouldn’t just be research subjects – we should be integral at every stage of the process, including having input in the design, wording, imagery etc! So I’m delighted that Plymouth Uni have asked me to publicise their search for a PPI panel. They’re looking for people with lived experience of injectable weight loss medications (Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda etc) to do exactly that. You’d be helping to guide and shape the research at every stage.
As the sayings go, “if you don’t have a seat at the table – you’re on the menu!” or “Nothing about us, without us!”, so if you have the experience they’re looking for, please do get involved!
Here’s info from them about what that actually involves!:
Would you like to be a lived experience expert on a study about injectable weight loss medications, fertility and pregnancy?
We are looking for people who would like to join our Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Panel.
Having a PPI panel is essential to ensure that this new project asks the most important questions, creates meaningful outcomes, and communicates these in the best way.
What is the study about?
Weight loss injections have grown in popularity – including among women and birthing people who want to lose weight before getting pregnant, and after giving birth. But little is known about the impact they have before, during or after pregnancy.
Although clinical trials demonstrate that the injectable weight loss medications are effective in helping people to lose weight, they are not recommended for use during pregnancy and current research suggests they should be stopped before trying to conceive. People taking these medications should use contraception to prevent pregnancy. We don’t know whether healthcare professionals explain this important advice. We don’t know if everyone getting the medicines online gets this advice.
The aims of the study are to:
1. Understand the experiences and needs of women and birthing people aged 18-45 using weight loss medication.
2. Understand what advice healthcare professionals give with these medicines and whether this should be improved.
Who is undertaking this study?
Researchers from the University of Plymouth have been awarded a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) grant to work with women and birthing people across the UK to find out what influences them to take the medication, and what advice they have received from healthcare professionals.
We are working with clinicians at Royal Cornwall NHS Trust, Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust (London) and South Tees NHS Foundation Trust (Middlesborough).
The work is co-led by
What would being part of our PPI Panel involve?
We would like those involved in our PPI Panel to review and comment on project documents, approximately 3 times over an 18-month period. This can be done via email, or via an online meeting with a member of our team. We would also like you to attend an online meeting on 3 occasions to provide feedback. Full training and advice will be provided before the meetings.
Will I be reimbursed for being involved on the PPI Panel?
Yes! You will be reimbursed with a £25 online voucher per hour of your time. From a retailer of your choosing.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for women and birthing people aged 18-45 years who have used, or are using injectable weight loss medications (sometimes referred to as GLP-1 medications and include Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda etc.), and would be happy to share their experiences around their use of GLP-1 medications in relation to their fertility and pregnancy history and/or future plans.
Are you interested?
If you’re interested in joining our PPI panel or would like to know more, please email reproductiveresearch@plymouth.ac.uk
If you’re interested in this area of research, but don’t have time to be on the PPI panel, we will be recruiting research participants in the future. Please get in touch to hear more.