Open Access‘Taking off the suit’: engaging the community in primary health care decision‐making
Author(s) -
Anderson Elizabeth,
Shepherd Michael,
Salisbury Chris
Publication year - 2006
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/j.1369-7625.2006.00364.x
Subject(s) - clarity , general partnership , public relations , focus group , statutory law , public health , public involvement , health care , nursing , qualitative research , local community , psychology , medicine , political science , sociology , business , marketing , social science , biochemistry , chemistry , law
Objective To explore the process of public involvement in planning primary health care. Background Recent policy in the UK promotes public involvement in planning health but there have been difficulties in engaging communities in the process. Surveys of health service organizations have found that there has been a failure to adapt to new approaches. It has become important to understand why this has occurred if policy initiatives to encourage involvement are to succeed. Design Qualitative study. Data collected through individual interviews and focus groups. Setting Two new primary healthcare developments in deprived areas in Bristol and Weston‐Super‐Mare. Participants Thirty‐six professionals and 23 local residents in Bristol; six professionals and three local residents in Weston‐Super‐Mare. Results Three themes were identified: process, partnership and power. The main findings were that exceptional people with a shared commitment to public involvement were necessary to motivate others and develop partnerships. Local people were drawn into the process and with increased confidence became powerful advocates for their community. Creative and varied methods to involve the public were important in achieving balance between professionals and lay people. However, conflicts over practical decisions arose from a lack of clarity over who had power to influence decisions. Conclusion Most of the participants were enthusiastic about their experience of public involvement in planning primary health care. Features crucial to sustainable involvement included a commitment from leaders within statutory agencies, support over a long period to build the confidence of local people, willingness to use informal approaches that are in tune with local culture, and a recognition of the concerns of both service users and providers.