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The theoretical basis of the terminology and language used around patient and public involvement (PPI) and related methodologies is important. Though significant efforts have been made to understand identities and perspectives as more varied, diverse, and plural phenomena, it is important to continuously critique and analyse the language and concepts that we, as PPI professionals, researchers, and public collaborators use throughout our work and activities. In this comment piece, I use conceptual thinking and creative writing to reflect on my professional experience working in PPI to think critically and theoretically about a commonly used phrase in research and PPI spaces, the singular articles and nouns of the phrases, “the public perspective” and “a public perspective.” When we involve members of the public in research, we should involve a variety of diverse peoples. The words we use to describe this matter. Progress continues to be made to make these words closer to real people’s lives. People are complex and varied. The words we use to describe doing research with members of the public need to be complex too. In this short essay, I use creative writing to explain how I think through a phrase I come across a lot, “the public perspective,” and other ones that are like it.
William Lammons (Tue,) studied this question.