Abstract
BACKGROUND: Harnessing Lived Experience Expertise (LEE) and Clinical Expertise (CE) is essential for patient-centred research. Yet transparent reporting and critical reflection on their impact remain limited. This study details an iterative approach to integrating LEE and CE in the development of a preoperative therapy intervention for Dupuytren’s fasciectomy, evaluating their influence on study design and implementation. OBJECTIVE: To assess how LEE and CE shape intervention development, influence research decisions, and to identify associated challenges, successes, and best practice for integration into clinical research. METHODS: A structured, multi-phase approach is implemented using the GRIPP2 short-form, a validated Patient and Public Involvement reporting framework. Activities include forming a steering committee, engaging patients and clinicians in intervention development, co-creating study materials, and refining trial protocols. Feedback is gathered through online meetings, surveys, and direct consultations. A LEE contributor co-authors this study, ensuring patient perspectives were embedded throughout. RESULTS: Integrating LEE and CE leads to significant refinements in study design, including development of intervention content aligned LEE/CE priorities, clearer and more accessible patient-facing materials and outcome measures that reflect real-world patient concerns. Challenges include sustaining contributor engagement over time and balancing patient and clinician priorities. CONCLUSION: Embedding LEE and CE strengthens feasibility, and acceptability of intervention and research processes. Lessons learned emphasise the need for flexible, iterative engagement strategies and structured reporting to optimise involvement and enhance impact. Future work should explore how reporting frameworks support sustained contributor engagement and how LEE and CE shape accessibility, relevance and implementation of clinical research. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40900-026-00849-w.