Minogue Virginia, Boness Jean, Brown Ann, Girdlestone John
South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK.
Int J Health Care Qual Assur Inc Leadersh Health Serv. 2005;18(2-3):103-12. doi: 10.1108/09526860510588133.
There are many examples of consumer involvement in NHS research but few studies have examined the impact of this on service development or the research process. This study, involving service user and carer researchers working alongside professional researchers, aimed to examine the development of one service user and carer research group in a mental health Trust. DERSIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research involved a review of existing literature on consumer involvement in research, a review of user involvement in research in South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, a survey of consumers and NHS staff in the Trust, and a skills audit and training needs analysis of consumers.
The study identified the range and extent of consumer involvement and the impact of this on consumers and the Trust. Service users and carers were involved in a range of projects, mainly on the level of consultation or collaboration. The benefits for consumers were principally on a personal level and included gaining knowledge and experience, improved sense of well-being, self esteem, and confidence. The benefit for the Trust was in having a service user perspective and focus. However, there is a tendency to omit service users from planning and setting priorities.
The study pointed to the need to build the evidence base on consumer involvement in research, particularly in terms of how consumers can impact on setting research priorities and selecting appropriate methods. It identifies the need for more training for consumers and for NHS staff and for a more coherent strategy.
ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This article will be of value to anyone who is at the start or in the early stages of their journey of consumer involvement. It identifies some of the practical issues faced by consumers and staff in working collaboratively, but also points to the benefits for all the stakeholders.
消费者参与国民健康服务体系（NHS）研究的例子有很多，但很少有研究探讨这对服务发展或研究过程的影响。本研究让服务使用者和护理者研究人员与专业研究人员合作，旨在考察一家精神健康信托机构中一个服务使用者和护理者研究小组的发展情况。
设计/方法/途径：该研究包括对有关消费者参与研究的现有文献进行综述，对南约克郡西部精神健康NHS信托机构中使用者参与研究的情况进行综述，对该信托机构中的消费者和NHS工作人员进行调查，以及对消费者进行技能审计和培训需求分析。
该研究确定了消费者参与的范围和程度以及这对消费者和信托机构的影响。服务使用者和护理者参与了一系列项目，主要是在咨询或合作层面。对消费者的益处主要体现在个人层面，包括获得知识和经验、改善幸福感、自尊和自信。对信托机构的益处在于有了服务使用者的视角和关注点。然而，在规划和确定优先事项时往往会忽略服务使用者。
该研究指出需要建立关于消费者参与研究的证据基础，特别是在消费者如何影响确定研究优先事项和选择合适方法方面。它确定了需要为消费者和NHS工作人员提供更多培训以及制定更连贯的策略。
原创性/价值：本文对于任何处于消费者参与旅程起点或早期阶段的人都有价值。它指出了消费者和工作人员在合作中面临的一些实际问题，但也指出了对所有利益相关者的益处。
