Public Engagement in Research & Education

Funder: Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust (formerly Chesterfield PCT)
This study is an exemplar of working in a participatory way with members of the public and health and social care practitioners as co-researchers. A Nurse Consultant Older People working in a nurse-led bed, intermediate care facility in a community hospital acted as joint project lead with an academic researcher.

From the outset, members of the public were part of a team of 16 individuals who agreed an evaluation focus and were involved in all stages of the research process from design through to dissemination. An extensive evaluation reflecting all these stakeholders’ preferences was undertaken.

Methods included research and audit including:

• patient and carer satisfaction questionnaire surveys
• individual interviews with patients
• carers and staff
• staff surveys
• graffiti board
• suggestion box
• first impressions questionnaire
• patient tracking and a bed census.
  

A key aim of the study has been capacity building of the research team members which has also been evaluated. In terms of impact,the co-researchers have developed research skills and knowledge, grown in confidence, developed in ways that have impacted elsewhere in their lives, developed posters, presented at conferences and gained a better understanding of the NHS.

The evaluation itself has provided useful information on the processes and outcomes of intermediate care on the ward which was used to further improve the service.

Contact: Dr Tracey Williamson

Related publications

Williamson, T 2006, An evaluation of a nurse led unit: an action research study, Project Report, Salford: Derbyshire County PCT / University of Salford.

Funder: NIHR Innovation for Invention (i4i/formerly Health Technology Devices)

This 33 month study involved facilitation of an advisory group of members of the public to inform design of an assistive technology device. During a two-year development phase, stimulator technologies were developed and a device created that aimed to improve the walking ability of people with a neurological condition known as ‘footdrop’ following stroke.

The main study will conclude with a small clinical trial that has also been designed in light of advice from the study advisers. Impact of the advisers’ involvement on the design of the research and assistive device, as well as on themselves and research team members, has been evaluated throughout and is significant.

Contact: Dr Tracey Williamson

Funder: Big Lottery

The ‘Saying Hello’ study was a three and half year study which was completed in July 2007. This was a joint venture conducted with Age Concern Wigan Borough together with a group of older volunteer co-researchers.

The study aims were to:

• investigate ways in which older people manage potential or actual loneliness and isolation
• promote successful coping strategies that support health and well being by preventing and reducing loneliness and isolation
• influence local, regional and national policies and practices with respect to the aspirations of older people.
  

The Saying Hello Project employed a dynamic range of methods to investigate the prevention and management of loneliness in the most inclusive way possible.  Methods included individual and group interviews and personally written narratives resulting in rich data from 149 respondents. 

Detailed analysis was undertaken and results disseminated in both innovative ways, such as a DVD and Talking Play, and more traditional ways such as reports and presentations. In terms of impact, the study informed partners such as statutory service providers and voluntary agencies about the strategies older people employed to manage loneliness and isolation.

A separate publication has captured the impact of public involvement in research on two of the older people who undertook a co-researcher role.

Contact: Dr Tracey Williamson

Funder: Older People’s Network Steering Group (Greater Manchester Association of PCTs) and University of Salford

This study comprised two consecutive projects aimed at gaining a better understanding of the effects of changed medication appearance on older people who are prescribed them. It is often the case that medications dispensed will have changed appearance which is largely due to generic prescribing practices. This means that the appearance of tablets and capsules (colour, size, shape) can be vastly different to the preceding prescription despite having the same active ingredient.

The idea for this study came from older people themselves at the Rochdale User Carer Action Forum. Two advisory groups operated with one focused on quantitative survey work and the other focused on qualitative exploration.  Older people were represented on both of these groups.

Initially a survey of 2000 older people, recruited with help from GP practices across Greater Manchester, was undertaken. Following this, digital video or audio-taped interviews of 32 participants gained in-depth insights into older people’s experiences of this topic area. In terms of impact, the study demonstrated significant risk of mistakes in the self-management of medications by older people as a result of changed medication appearance.

Contact: Dr Tracey Williamson

Related publications

Williamson, T, Greene, L, Prashar, A and Schafheutle, E 2009, Older people's experiences of changed medication appearance: a survey , Project Report, Salford: University of Salford.

Williamson, T, Howarth, ML, Greene, L and Prashar, A 2010, Older people's experiences of changed medication appearance due to generic prescribing: a qualitative study, Project Report, Salford: University of Salford.

Young adults give their views of barriers and facilitators of health and wellbeing.

Funder: Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale PCT

This study utilised an emergent design to gain the views of people who would not normally be heard about health related services provided in Rochdale Borough. A multi-agency advisory group devised study objectives aimed at identifying target seldom heard and marginalized groups whose views were to be gained.

A participatory approach was employed to agree the research questions of most concern to commissioners and study participants. Stakeholders jointly devised a research design to best elicit experiences, views and expectations of participants with regard to PCT health and wellbeing activities.

The focus was with participants aged 16 to 25 years and who were young carers, young parents or people with a disability. The design included setting up of a Young Person’s Reference Group and work with them to identify exact study methods, materials and approaches and a snowball sample of participants. Findings informed local service planning for young people.

Williamson, T, Ryan, J, Hogg, C and Fallon, D 2009, 'Younique voices'- A study of health and wellbeing: experiences, views and expectations of seldom heard and marginalised groups in Rochdale Borough, Project Report, University of Salford.

An exploration of Partnership Boards for Older People

Funder: Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

This study sat within a national project aimed at demonstrating that expert knowledge housed within universities can make a positive impact in urban communities around four themes: Community Cohesion, Crime, Enterprise and Health & Wellbeing. It involved the Universities of Salford, Northumbria, Central Lancashire, Manchester Metropolitan University and Bradford.

The project aimed to address key urban regeneration challenges in the North of England through inter-disciplinary collaboration between partner universities and practitioner organisations. It also sought to build a long term strategic alliance between core university partners.

Within each of the four project areas there were a number of smaller projects each focusing on the relationship between the theme and urban regeneration.

This study sought to establish how partnership boards for older people address the health and well being needs of people over 50 years of age including how health and wellbeing are defined; strategies older people adopt to change service providers' actions; learning by service providers about the involvement of older people on Boards; and how this influences practice. The main activity within this study was to interview Salford Partnership Board members. The findings informed further development of the Board.

Project leads: Julia Ryan and Dr Tracey Williamson

Contact: Dr Tracey Williamson

Related publication

Ryan, J, Williamson, T, Williams, C and Ratcliffe, S 2008, Older people, regeneration and health and well-being. Case study of Salford Partnership Board for Older People, Project Report, University of Salford.