The Patient Effect

The Patient Effect is a half-hour documentary telling the story of public and patient involvement (PPI) in biomedical research – how tapping into the lived experience of patients, their families and carers, hugely enhances the quality and relevance of medical science. The documentary follows three patients: Paul Ryan, father to Sophia who was born premature at 25 weeks, is contributing to a major research programme exploring the most effective methods to treat babies with brain injury. Cameron Keighron lives with Type 1 diabetes and has spent five years collaboratively developing a new way to deliver healthcare to young people with diabetes. Margaret Devaney provides a first-hand account of the impact that chronic nerve pain has on her day-to-day life to medical device developers working on a brand new treatment. The Patient Effect demonstrates how PPI empowers patients like Margaret, Sophia and Cameron to speak about their experiences and needs, and gives scientists a way to communicate their work with the public. Ishka Films was awarded the 2019 ‘Science on Screen’ grant to produce The Patient Effect. CÚRAM (Centre for Research in Medical Devices) & Galway Film Centre run this scheme in order to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in film and TV production.