16
TRAINING & LEARNING
FOCUS on Training and Learning
Together
Traditionally, in health and social care
research, the research intended to
benefit patients and the public is remote
in its design and delivery however, there
is a growing impetus to challenge this
view; the National Institute for Health
Research (NIHR, 2015) state-
In order to achieve this more
participative approach, moving from
tokenistic involvement to more authentic
engagement is essential, therefore,
research training and support are
necessary for individuals to make an
effective contribution. (Brett et al. 2014)
suggest -
Research' has used a participatory
approach in designing a research
programme with an interdisciplinary
team of service-users and carers with
lived experience of health and social
care; and representatives from the
Health and Social Care Board, the
Mental Health Foundation, Praxis Care,
Queen's University Belfast (QUB) and
Ulster University. The 'Getting Involved
in Research' course development group
also embedded a participatory approach
into the research process evaluation -
The process and outcomes evaluation of
this co-creative project is currently
underway.
Getting involved in Research - An Introductory Course for Service Users and
Carers
"The suggestion that members
of the public are 'subjects' or
'silent partners' in research is no
longer a tenable position to
maintain for any research organisation
wishing to fund high
quality research.
Partnership, reciprocity and
openness are now fundamental
to how research is done and to
the successful translation of
research results into practice".
"Offering service user training
in research methodology may
help maximize the service
user involvement and
empower service users in
their contributions to the
design of the study, providing
service users with the tools to
discuss outcomes and
formulate questions rather
than limiting their involvement
to accounts of their
experiences."