Different in so many ways: Exploring consumer, health service staff, and academic partnerships in a research advisory group through rapid ethnography

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Cox, Ruth
Molineux, Matthew
Kendall, Melissa
Miller, Elizabeth
Tanner, Bernadette
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2022
Size
File type(s)
Location
Abstract

Introduction: Consumer and community involvement (CCI) encompasses the range of consumer engagement activities across the research cycle. Research advisory groups (RAGs) are a common method of CCI that may empower the consumer voice in research. However, there is limited evaluation of RAGs to guide occupational therapists considering this as a CCI strategy in research. The aim of this study was to explore the processes and outcomes of a RAG partnership for an eDelphi study. Methods: Rapid ethnography enabled a rich, thick description of the RAG through triangulation of field notes, a monthly research team log, focus groups, and an individual interview. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Recruitment targeted consumers, health service staff, and academics with experience in CCI to enhance the diversity of perspectives guiding the eDelphi study. The RAG met four times over 4 months. Findings: Seven diverse RAG members were recruited resulting in a RAG of 12 members, including the research team that included two consumers. Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in an overarching theme: Different in so many ways, which reinforced that authentic CCI in research continues to be rare even for stakeholders with experience in CCI. There were four subthemes: Set up for success, Authentic and capable facilitation, Structures and strategies for genuine partnerships, and A ripple effect of benefits. Findings added to the limited research regarding RAGs and highlighted that a short-term RAG with 12 diverse stakeholders was an effective strategy to foster mutually beneficial and meaningful collaboration. Partnering with two consumer co-researchers in RAG planning, implementation, and evaluation was central to success. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that with careful co-planning and recruitment, capable facilitation with support of a committed research team (inclusive of consumers), and empowering meeting processes and structures, a short-term RAG resulted in many benefits to participants and enhanced research outcomes.

Journal Title

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume
Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2022 The Authors. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Occupational Therapy Australia. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Item Access Status
Note

This publication has been entered in Griffith Research Online as an advanced online version.

Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Clinical sciences

Public health

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Rehabilitation

consumer and community engagement

consumer participation

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Cox, R; Molineux, M; Kendall, M; Miller, E; Tanner, B, Different in so many ways: Exploring consumer, health service staff, and academic partnerships in a research advisory group through rapid ethnography, Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2022

Collections