Nathan S, Braithwaite J, Stephenson N.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of community
representatives participating in a large health service in Australia.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Cross-sectional survey of 49 community
representatives and interviews with a purposeful sample of representatives (n =
10) and staff (n = 19).
FINDINGS: Most community representatives had positive attitudes about their value
and potential for influence, citing concrete examples of impact. Having an
external network or group was related to their beliefs in their ability to add
value to their health service. Community representatives largely agreed they
provided a link to, and represented, the wider community although most thought
staff did not understand their role or how to work with them. Some staff
questioned representativeness of their community representatives.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Improving community participation is argued to be
important in delivering better healthcare services, but effective engagement and
representation at the local level is often challenging. Focusing on community
representative views takes us beyond debates around representativeness to
identify practical strategies to improve practice. The authors recommend health
services recruit consumers with strong links to networks in the community,
provide a structured and supported program, and improve staff understanding of
the range of possible roles for community representatives. Local examples of
community representatives' impact on policy and practice should be widely
communicated.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: In giving prominence to the views of consumers using
triangulated methods, the authors found most could report with clarity what their
role was and how they impacted at their local health service.
PMID: 25080652 [PubMed - indexed for ME
Nathan S, Braithwaite J, Stephenson N.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of community
representatives participating in a large health service in Australia.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Cross-sectional survey of 49 community
representatives and interviews with a purposeful sample of representatives (n =
10) and staff (n = 19).
FINDINGS: Most community representatives had positive attitudes about their value
and potential for influence, citing concrete examples of impact. Having an
external network or group was related to their beliefs in their ability to add
value to their health service. Community representatives largely agreed they
provided a link to, and represented, the wider community although most thought
staff did not understand their role or how to work with them. Some staff
questioned representativeness of their community representatives.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Improving community participation is argued to be
important in delivering better healthcare services, but effective engagement and
representation at the local level is often challenging. Focusing on community
representative views takes us beyond debates around representativeness to
identify practical strategies to improve practice. The authors recommend health
services recruit consumers with strong links to networks in the community,
provide a structured and supported program, and improve staff understanding of
the range of possible roles for community representatives. Local examples of
community representatives' impact on policy and practice should be widely
communicated.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: In giving prominence to the views of consumers using
triangulated methods, the authors found most could report with clarity what their
role was and how they impacted at their local health service.
PMID: 25080652 [PubMed - indexed for ME
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