Consumer involvement at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit: results of a survey

Methods Staff responsible for studies included in a Unit Progress Report (MRC CTU, April 2009) were asked to complete a questionnaire survey regarding consumer involvement. This was defined as active involvement of consumers as partners in the research process and not as subjects of that research. The electronic questionnaires combined open and closed questions, intended to capture quantitative and qualitative information on whether studies had involved consumers; types of activities undertaken; recruitment and support; advantages and disadvantages of involvement and its perceived impact on aspects of the research.