Rural Death Literacy: Co-creating a community approach to reduce inequality in palliative care

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

The purpose of this group is to ensure that the voices of those from rural and remote communities across the island of Ireland are represented at each stage of the research cycle. By participating in this group, you are ensuring this research will reflect the main issues that impact people most at the end-of-life in rural and remote communities. We believe that involving rural patients, caregivers and community members throughout the research process it will improve the quality, relevance and impact of the research. 

Your contribution will strengthen recruitment strategies, shape wording of interview questions, influence interpretation and analysis of results, enhance engagement with a rural community for a local initiative and disseminate the results of the project.    

What will PPI contributors do?  

This advisory group will be ongoing until September 2028, with meetings occurring every quarter. There meetings will be online however, there will be an opportunity to meet with the group in-person once over the two years. The dates and times of meetings will be decided in advance by group members based on member availability.  

The main responsibilities are:  

You will be expected to attend and participate in quarterly one-hour online group meetings. You may also be contacted outside of meeting times to advise on research project matters. Before meetings, you may be asked to spend one hour to prepare by reading the materials we plan to discuss beforehand. Paperwork will be sent to you at least one week prior to the meeting to ensure you have enough time to review.  During meetings, you will be asked to contribute to group discussions by providing your opinions and feedback where appropriate. You should always be trying to represent the wider views of patients and carers from rural communities to the best of your ability. 

As a group member, we ask that you:  

• Actively listen to, and respect others’ opinions. 

• Contribute to discussions by giving your opinion, feedback and advice where appropriate.   

• Ensure the research best reflects those dying, caregiving and grieving from rural communities.  

• Help ensure that the public and members of the community have access to good quality information.  

Who can take part? 

We are look for two PPI contributors to join our group, one from Northern Ireland and one from the Republic of Ireland. No previous experience with PPI or research is needed.  

This opportunity is open to those who:  

• Live in rural or remote communities across the island of Ireland 

• Live in a rural area and currently have a life-limiting illness 

• Currently provide, or have previously provided, unpaid end-of-life care in a rural area (e.g., for a family members, friend, neighbor etc.)  

• Live in a rural area and have an interest in end-of-life and palliative care research.  

This is a paid role:  

• Payment: £27.50 per hour/ € equivalent based on the current exchange rate.  

• Expenses: £5 / € equivalent based on the current exchange rate, per online meeting for printing and internet costs. Travel and subsistence will be covered if you choose to attend the one in-person meeting.  

Please express your interest by emailing Shamira McKenna by 31/10/2026 

Email: smckenna72@qub.ac.uk