Beyond value? Measuring the costs and benefits of public participation

Purpose - The costs and benefits of patient/public involvement in health, social and political settings are important determinants of whether people and organisations participate. However, actual costs and benefits of public participation are rarely measured other than as proxies or as only ''measuring the measurable''. This paper aims to examine whether economic analysis poses a threat or an opportunity for future public participation. Design/methodology/ approach - This inquiry is based on original research by INVOLVE (literature review of participation costs/benefits; qualitative interviews with ''think tanks'', participants and managers of participation projects) that examined the options for measuring monetary costs and benefits of public participation. Findings - The case against measuring includes: mainstream economic theory is unable to explain participation; mainstream economic models are unsuitable for appropriately assessing participation costs and benefits; participation benefits are beyond economic value; and, economic values of participation may be misinterpreted and misused. Conversely, the case for measuring includes: economic measurement is necessary because public participation constitutes investments of public resources; there is a need to improve the evidence base on which participation decisions are made; the lack of economic information about participation causes problems; and neo-classical economics is not the only available option for measuring participation costs/benefits. Research limitations/implications - The limitations and implications for granting bodies, researchers/health economists, evaluators/administrators, and donor-commissioned evaluations are discussed. Originality/value - There is a need for innovative indicators that capture the costs and benefits of public participation, as well as appropriate resources for the economic analysis of such initiatives.