Research project
Title: Development of a Questionnaire to Measure Service User Satisfaction Within In-Patient Forensic Services
Project timescale: From 01 April, 2004 to 31 March, 2005
(Added to website on: 12 April, 2005 - Date last updated: 06 February, 2013)
Source of funding:
National Programme for Forensic Mental Health Research and Development
Aims: The aim of the project is to develop a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess levels of service user satisfaction with forensic in-patient services.
Research designs used:
Cohort Study
Study of views/experiences
Other:
Methods used to collect data:
Focus groups
Questionnaire survey
Other (please specify):
Research project description: The study consists of two parts, both conducted in forensic mental heath units. Part one uses focus groups to identify the important issues for service users in determining their level of satisfaction with services. Part two involves the testing of the reliability and validity of the questionnaire by the use of a cross sectional survey.
Stages at which the public were involved:
Other:
Description of public involvement in research stages: Service users helped to write the protocol, identified and invited participants to take part, collected and analyzed data (co-facilitating focus groups, helping design questionnaire) and agreed on the presentation of findings.
Training and support provided for either members of the public or researchers involved in the project:
Examples of ways the public have made a difference to the research project: Initially, it was service users who brought up the issue of service user satisfaction and its importance for in-patient in forensic units. This formed the basis for he aims of the project (service user satisfaction). The involvement of service users in developing the question allowed the protocol to be both clear in its aims but also relevant to the group the research was aimed at helping. The service user members of the research team have helped the project gain acceptance with potential participants through discussing with them the aims and objectives of the project and also being actively involved in the undertaking of the research and the decision making process. The use of service users as co-facilitators allowed areas to be explored within the focus groups that might not have been thought of as relevant by academic/clinical researchers. Likewise, the involvement in analyzing qualitative data allowed the service users to give their interpretations of the meaning and importance of the discussions within the groups (i.e. giving reasons as to why there were so few comments from the participants about being unsafe within forensic units). Their involvement in the design of the questionnaire allowed for the phrasing of the questions to be done in such a way as their meaning would be clearer for participants answering the questionnaire (i.e. all participants would understand the term key worker). We have recently held discussions as to which publications and conferences would be most beneficial to present the research findings. This has resulted in the agreement that the work should be disseminated in both traditional academic type journals but also in publications/leaflets/guides which would give access to other service users and advocacy groups.
Evaluating the impact of public involvement in the research:
Details of publications or reports resulting from the research: Further information about the project can be obtained from the National Research Register. Once the project has finished we aim to publish in a wide variety of academic and non-academic journals. In addition, a report will be produced for the National programme for Forensic Mental Health Research and development which will be available on their website.
Links to Reports:
Was/is your project user controlled: Not Known
For further information on the project, please contact:
Dr Douglas MacInnes
Principal Investigator
Canterbury Christ Church University College
Centre for Health and Social Care Research
Faculty of Health
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 1QU
dlm2@canterbury.ac.uk
01227 782787
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