Service user and carer involvement in physiotherapy practice, education and research: getting involved for a change

Although not new, the concept of patient, carer and public involvement has been increasingly embedded in health and social care policy, and in recent decades strengthened through statutory requirements. Physiotherapists need to respond to the evolving involvement culture by finding appropriate ways to translate policy into practice in clinical settings, education and research contexts. It is argued that for involvement to be meaningful it should happen at every stage from policy making, through service development, to education and training, and research, creating a circle of involvement. This invited clinical commentary will set out one physiotherapy programme's attempt to create a circle of involvement.