Small Voices Big Noises: Lay involvement in health research:lessons from other fields

Baxter L, Thorne, L, Mitchell A
Record ID 32001000806
English
Authors' objectives:

The project was designed to investigate the extent and nature of the involvement of lay people in research in fields other than health, and to highlight lessons that can be transferred to health research.

Authors' recommendations: Lessons and recommendations are highlighted based on the search of the literature and visits to case studies. These are categorised under the following headings:• Context –highlights the importance of the political philosophy and context of research.• People –emphasises the importance of shared values, and common language in negotiations between partners about problems and solutions. Needs for clarity in the aims and expectations of research and inthe roles and responsibilities of partners are highlighted. Issues of ‘representativeness’ of lay people were overcome where smallscale projects were undertaken.• Process – a major lesson was the need for flexibility in several aspects of research. This included the methods used, the direction of the research, which often evolves and changes when lay people are activelyinvolved, and make it possible for people to be involved at all stages of the process.• Resources – flexibility of funding and the time allowed to undertake participatory projects was highlighted, as was the need for support in a variety of forms and training of professionals and lay people for a number of different purposes. Overall, ideas and methods for active lay involvement from other fields are practical and applicable to health research. These approaches may help to ensure that lay people are empowered through research that directly leads to real improvements in services and in their lives and circumstances.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: http://www.invo.org.uk/pdfs/small_voices.pdf
Year Published: 2001
URL for published report: http://www.invo.org.uk/All_Publications.asp
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: England
MeSH Terms
  • Health Services Research
Contact
Organisation Name: Washington Singer Press
Contact Address: INVOLVE, Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9FD
Contact Name: admin@invo.org.uk
Contact Email: admin@invo.org.uk
Copyright: Washington Singer Press
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.