Open AccessValues associated with public involvement in health and social care research: a narrative review
Author(s) -
Gradinger Felix,
Britten Nicky,
Wyatt Katrina,
Froggatt Katherine,
Gibson Andy,
Jacoby Ann,
Lobban Fiona,
Mayes Debbie,
Snape Dee,
Rawcliffe Tim,
Popay Jennie
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.12158
Subject(s) - health care , accountability , public health , psychology , public relations , social psychology , sociology , medicine , nursing , political science , law
Background Much has been written about public involvement ( PI ) in health and social care research, but underpinning values are rarely made explicit despite the potential for these to have significant influence on the practice and assessment of PI . Objective The narrative review reported here is part of a larger MRC ‐funded study which is producing a framework and related guidance on assessing the impact of PI in health and social care research. The review aimed to identify and characterize the range of values associated with PI that are central elements of the framework. Methods We undertook a review and narrative synthesis of diverse literatures of PI in health and social care research, including twenty existing reviews and twenty‐four chapters in sixteen textbooks. Results Three overarching value systems were identified, each containing five value clusters. (i) A system concerned with ethical and/or political issues including value clusters associated with empowerment; change/action; accountability/transparency; rights; and ethics (normative values). (ii). A system concerned with the consequences of public involvement in research including value clusters associated with effectiveness; quality/relevance; validity/reliability; representativeness/objectivity/generalizability; and evidence (substantive values). (iii) A system concerned with the conduct of public involvement in including value clusters associated with Partnership/equality; respect/trust; openness and honesty; independence; and clarity (process values). Conclusion Our review identified three systems associated with PI in health and social care research focused on normative, substantive and process values. The findings suggest that research teams should consider and make explicit the values they attach to PI in research and discuss ways in which potential tensions may be managed in order to maximize the benefits of PI for researchers, lay experts and the research.