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Successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities using collaborative approaches to community-based research: mixed methods analysis of focus group evidence.
- Source :
- International Journal for Equity in Health; 7/4/2024, Vol. 23 Issue 1, p1-22, 22p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: The concept of collaborative approaches involves community residents in joint decision-making processes to maintain or enhance their material and social conditions. During COVID-19, public services saw the benefits of actively collaborating with communities and involving residents in decision-making processes. As communities have resources and assets, they are well-placed to contribute to developing local health and wellbeing initiatives. An interdisciplinary and nationally funded three-phase research programme, "Mobilising community assets to tackle health inequalities", was established with the objective of utilising local, cultural, and natural assets to support health and wellbeing. The current study aimed to synthesise evidence collected by research teams awarded funding in phase one of the programme, comprising academic and non-academic, health and social care, voluntary and community partners. Methods: Ten online focus groups were conducted with research teams from across the UK exploring the successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities using collaborative approaches to community-based research. Eight focus group questions were split between partnership working and health inequalities. Results: Thematic and content analysis produced 185 subthemes from which 12 themes were identified. Major themes representing an above average number of coded responses were research evidence; funding; relationships with partners; health inequalities and deprivation; community involvement; and health service and integrated care systems. Minor themes were link workers and social prescribing; training and support; place-based factors; longevity of programmes; setting up and scaling up programmes; and mental health. Conclusions: Successes included employing practice-based and arts-based methods, being part of a research project for those not normally involved in research, sharing funding democratically, building on established relationships, and the vital role that local assets play in involving communities. Challenges involved a lack of sustainable financial support, the short-term nature of funding, inconsistencies in reaching the poorest people, obtaining the right sort of research evidence, making sufficient research progress, building relationships with already over-burdened health care staff, and redressing the balance of power in favour of communities. Despite the challenges, participants were mainly optimistic that collective approaches and meaningful co-production would create opportunities for future research partnerships with communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SUCCESS
MEDICAL care research
INTERPROFESSIONAL relations
FOCUS groups
RESEARCH funding
MENTAL health
ENDOWMENTS
CONTENT analysis
COMMUNITIES
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
THEMATIC analysis
RESEARCH methodology
HEALTH equity
SOCIAL support
SOCIAL isolation
INTEGRATED health care delivery
SOCIAL participation
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14759276
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal for Equity in Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 178461735
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02216-1