Evidence Library

Abstract:

As well as discussing the methods of involving older people, the paper also discusses the impact of involvement on research quality and local service development.

Working with an advisory panel of older people benefited the following stages of the project:

• developing the interview agenda
• developing and validating methods, for example through independent observation of focus groups
• early analysis of the interview data.

By the end of the project, the panel had developed into a 'cohort of advocates' who continued to contribute to ongoing policy development on falls prevention. The panel members had developed links with other local stakeholders and continued to strengthen these relationships independently. They also started to work with groups developing patient and public involvement strategies for older people in the area. Their influence was therefore felt more widely than within the boundaries of the research.

The researchers reflect on working with older people in this way and comment on the need to accept that timeframes and agendas will change as a result. They also note that researchers' and funders' notions of power, status and accountability are challenged by involvement.

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Categories: health
social care
Designing research
Analysing and interpreting
impact on research
impact on researchers
impact on implementation and change
impact of public involvement
journal article

Date Entered: 2012/03/26

Date Edited: 2012/11/20