Engaging People and Co-Producing Research with Persons and Communities to Foster Person-Centred Care: A Meta-Synthesis.

Beatriz Vallina Acha,Estrella Durá Ferrandis,Mireia Ferri Sanz,Maite Ferrando García

doi:10.3390/ijerph182312334

Beatriz Vallina Acha, Estrella Durá Ferrandis + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312334

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Abstract

Introduction: Engagement and co-production in healthcare research and innovation are crucial for delivering person-centred interventions in underserved communities, but the knowledge of effective strategies to target this population is still vague, limiting the provision of person-centred care. Our research aimed to identify essential knowledge to foster engagement and co-production. Materials and Methods: A meta-synthesis research design was used to compile existing qualitative research papers on health communication, engagement, and empowerment in vulnerable groups in high-income countries (HICs) from 2008 to 2018. A total of 23 papers were selected and analysed. Results: ‘Design and recruitment’ and ‘engagement and co-production’ thematic areas are presented considering the factors related to researcher–communities attunement and the strategical plans for conducting research. The insights are discussed in light of the literature. Long-term alliances, sustainable structures, and strengthened bonds are critical factors for producing real long-term change, empowering persons and communities, and paving the way to person-centred care. Conclusions: The enhancement of the recruitment, involvement, and empowerment of traditionally disengaged communities and individuals depends on the awareness and analysis of social determinants, power differentials and specific tactics, and the capacity of researchers and individuals to apply all these principles in real-world practice.

Highlights

Co-production and engagement of individuals and communities are critical for designing person-centred care, and they are even more crucial if the service users are socially vulnerable groups
The knowledge captured in these experiences allowed us to identify facilitators and barriers, as well as provide best practices for conducting a culturally tailored and empowering co-production in research and healthcare innovation
Three challenges were addressed in the study design: (i) how to raise the recruitment of the disengaged; (ii) the potential for empowering persons and communities through research and/or co-production; and (iii) the engagement of deprived and disengaged groups in light of the social determinants of health

Summary

Introduction

Co-production and engagement of individuals and communities are critical for designing person-centred care, and they are even more crucial if the service users are socially vulnerable groups (e.g., traditionally discriminated or marginalised minorities, including racialised groups, deprived communities, or sexual minorities, among others). Vulnerability is understood as the result of specific socio-economic, demographic, cultural, institutional, spatial, and environmental contexts [1] encompassing the susceptibility to hazards, and the diminished capacity to cope and/or to adapt. Is opposed to “resilience”, or the capacity of social, economic, and environmental systems for coping with hazardous events, disturbances, and adverse events, being able to respond and to maintain, transform, or adapt their basic functions, identities, or structures [2]. Discriminated, marginalised, or excluded communities are considered vulnerable in this article: the historical power imbalance might diminish the ability of these communities and individuals to cope with adverse events due to structural reasons.

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