How helpful are Patient and Public Involvement strategic documents - Results of a framework analysis using 4Pi National Involvement Standards.

Our findings align with published literature that suggests the underpinning rationale for PPI is confusing. A strategic aim is difficult to articulate. Context and complexity are at play making the sharing of generalisable knowledge elusive. We offer further critique about the value of these documents and consider: 'is there an alternative approach to construct PPI strategy to generate theory, capture learning and evaluate effectiveness at the same time?' We suggest testing the adoption of programme theory in PPI. The emergent nature and context sensitive features of programme theory enable curiosity, creativity and critical appraisal. It has the potential to release practitioners from the tokenistic cycle of monitoring and reporting and replace this with a richer understanding of 'what' works and 'how' tied to a 'why' - in order to achieve a shared aim that everyone can get behind.