Valuable and viable research pathways for reinforcing the humanity of healthcare

This discussion paper explores valuable and viable research pathways to reinforce the humanity of healthcare, aligning with one of the overarching tasks outlined in the Glasgow Consensus Statement: understand the patient's perspective. The paper is divided into two sections. The first section discusses the necessity of incorporating meaningful input from patients and health professionals, highlighting the shift from researcher-centred to participatory research. It underscores the importance of patient and public involvement (PPI) in healthcare research, detailing various methods of integrating patient perspectives, such as citizen science and patients as co-researchers. The second section presents examples of research designs that consider both individual encounters and the broader context of multiple interactions. It includes preference trials, complex interventions, natural experiments, realist evaluation, and journey mapping. Each design is discussed in terms of its ability to capture the complexities of the patient journey and enhance the humanity of healthcare. Overall, the paper advocates for a holistic approach to research that views healthcare as a continuous journey rather than a series of isolated events. By integrating end-user perspectives and leveraging technology, researchers can identify pathways to enhance patient care, ensuring healthcare is both effective and compassionate.