Research as an essentiality beyond one’s own competence: an interview study on frail older people's view of research

Research Involvement and Engagement

Isak Berge¹  Qarin Lood²  Synneve Ivanoff³  Emmelie Barenfeld⁴  Maria Haak⁵ 

[1] Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health – AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health – AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia;Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health – AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;Centre for Ageing and Health – AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden;Research Platform for Collaboration for Health, Faculty of Health Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden;Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health – AgeCap, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden;

关键词: Frail older people;    Patient and public involvement;    Research;    User involvement;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40900-021-00333-7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is an increased interest to make the voices of frail older people heard in research by actively involving them in research processes. Involving frail older people in research could, however, be perceived as challenging by researchers. To actively involve frail older people in research processes in a meaningful way, the knowledge about their own views on what research is must be widened and deepened.MethodsIndividual interviews were conducted with 17 frail older men and women with former experience of participation in research studies. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis.ResultsFrail older people’s views on what research means are described through the main category; An essentiality beyond one’s own competence, which describes research as a complex process that is important for society but difficult to understand. This is described in the sub-categories; A driving force for societal development, A benefit when based on lived experience, A source of knowledge difficult to access and understand, and A respected job filled with responsibilities.ConclusionDifferent views on research from the perspective of frail older people show that research is viewed as a complex yet important phenomenon to frail older people. Research was also seen as a natural part in society. Research was viewed as difficult to access and understand. Thus, researchers must train themselves to communicate research findings to the public in an understandable way. To create common understandings through information and education, researchers might be better placed to involve frail older people in a meaningful way and thereby also have the possibility to develop good working practice and relationships with those involved.

【 授权许可】

CC BY