Evaluation of a research awareness training programme to support research involvement of older people with dementia and their care partners
Open Access
- 18 August 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Health Expectations
- Vol. 23 (5), 1177-1190
- https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13096
Abstract
Background Best‐practice guidelines recommend that appropriate support be provided to public contributors to facilitate their involvement in research. One form of support is research awareness training. Older people with dementia and care partners were involved in four Research User Groups (RUGs) in the UK, France, Cyprus and Greece. We delivered research awareness training (RAT) to the RUGs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and perceived outcomes of the training from the perspective of RUG members. Methods At the end of each research training session, participants completed the Training Acceptability Rating Scale‐section 2, which records the respondent's impressions of the training process and the outcomes of training. Participants were also invited to take part in semi‐structured interviews at the end of the programme. Results Thirty‐four RUG members completed the TARS‐section 2 with 23 completing semi‐structured interviews. Over two‐thirds (67%) of participants rated their overall satisfaction with the RAT ‘a great deal’. Qualitative responses indicated that participants found group work to be beneficial for learning, the structure of training activities and topics covered appropriate. The type and format of the training materials were viewed as helpful, and they valued the new knowledge gained. Conclusions The training contents were applicable, useful and relevant to the participants’ role within the research. We highlight the importance of facilitating participation by (a) fostering awareness of relevant research issues and (b) tailoring delivery of training according to the needs of the participants.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- A little more conversation please? Qualitative study of researchers’ and patients’ interview accounts of training for patient and public involvement in clinical trialsTrials, 2015
- From plans to actions in patient and public involvement: qualitative study of documented plans and the accounts of researchers and patients sampled from a cohort of clinical trialsBMJ Open, 2014
- Articulating the strategies for maximising the inclusion of people with dementia in qualitative research studiesDementia, 2014
- There is no paradox with PPI in researchJournal of Medical Ethics, 2013
- Mapping the impact of patient and public involvement on health and social care research: a systematic reviewHealth Expectations, 2012
- PPI, paradoxes and Plato: who's sailing the ship?: Table 1Journal of Medical Ethics, 2012
- User participation in community mental health services: exploring the experiences of users and professionalsScandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 2009
- Qualitative Research DesignsThe Counseling Psychologist, 2007
- Including older people with dementia in research: Challenges and strategiesAging & Mental Health, 2003
- From Ritual to RelationshipDementia, 2002