“Nothing About Me Without Me”— Addressing, and Overcoming Current and Future Challenges in Paediatric Health Research by Involving All Actors

Dear colleagues,

In recent decades, a paradigm shift has occurred from a traditional patient–provider relationship towards a more collaborative view by using a population-based, interdisciplinary public health approach. Research funders increasingly recommend and demand so-called ‘patient and public involvement’ (PPI) in all kinds of (health) research. This type of involvement has the potential to improve the quality, relevance and understanding of research as well as to engage patients and the public in discovering and finally addressing unmet needs.

The European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) is the first pan-European organisation and network to represent the interests of preterm and new-born infants and their families. EFCNI—and also national parent organisations in their network—is regularly involved in international research projects. Participation and involvement are thereby crucial to represent the interests of vulnerable new-borns and their families. However, there is much potential to improve PPI in research with the overall aim to optimise health for infants, children and their families. 

This Special Issue, ““Nothing about Me without Me”—Addressing, and Overcoming Current and Future Challenges in Paediatric Health Research by Involving All Actors”, will address challenges in relation to (adverse) health outcomes in infancy and childhood with a specific focus on PPI. We particularly welcome manuscripts that have applied a holistic PPI approach or that have studied (aspects of) PPI in health (research). Various types of articles, such as original research articles, review articles, commentaries and innovative concept papers will be considered for publication.

Potential topics in relation to child health include but are not limited to:

• Patient and public involvement;
• Participatory research;
• Patient-centred care;
• Infant and family centred developmental care;
• Public health policy;
• Evidence into practice;
• Health impact assessment.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Christina Tischer
Dr. Johanna Kostenzer
Guest Editors

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