Integrated Care Northamptonshire: Engaging in research collaborative project
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Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire were asked by Integrated Care Northamptonshire to engage with under-represented groups to improve participation in NHS research. They undertook a survey and focus groups and got feedback from over 150 people.
The majority of survey participants said that it was important for them to take part in healthcare research. Those that didn't wanted incentives to take part and were concerned at the time a survey takes.
Almost half of the participants were not sure that they had a role in research. It appeared that many didn't understand the purpose of research.
Only 14% felt they knew how to influence changes in health and social care.
Over three-quarters of all respondents wanted social media to be used to give out information on changes that have been made as a result of research.
The main barriers that stop people from participating in health and social care research are that: participants do not know it is happening and that they do not know how to take part. Other key reasons given were that the research can be too long and participants do not think it will make a difference.
Only 6% of participants said that the type of research would influence what may be stopping them from engaging in health and social care research.
When asked how participants might want to be involved in research in the future the main method chosen was surveys.
The majority of participants said that having someone from their local community supporting with health and social care research would encourage them to take part.
Participants felt the following would encourage them to take part in research: a. The offer of incentives for engaging in research b. Whether the subject is of interest or personal relevance c. The ability to understand the impact or to be able to see a change d. The ability to make a difference by taking part e. Having an understanding of the research’s purpose and having clarity on the topic f. The research not being time-consuming and being easy to complete g. The need for more awareness/better publicity of research opportunities.
Participants felt that research and surveys need to be simplified to be easily accessible and appealing to the public for engagement.
Participants felt it was important to know the background, purpose and aims of the research when taking part.