scholarly journals Collaboration for Improving Social Work Practice: The Promise of Feminist Participatory Action Research

Affilia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 088610992095442
Author(s):  
Holly Johnson ◽  
Catherine Flynn
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Institutional Power

Feminist research and participatory action research (PAR) share the belief that research should directly serve social justice aims and work to alleviate suffering of marginalized and oppressed people. This article presents the results of a unique feminist PAR (FPAR) approach to designing and implementing an evaluation of an intervention with women who have used violence. The site of our analysis is the steering committee that oversaw this work and the extent to which members adhered to FPAR principles. Over the two decades since feminist critiques of PAR began to emerge, new discourses of collaboration have appeared. As researchers, we must be alert to FPAR discourses that mask ongoing hierarchies. Our findings suggest that, while reflexivity and genuine commitment to collaboration are fundamental to enacting FPAR principles, social workers nevertheless face real challenges confronting structural barriers that impede anti-oppression goals. This study highlights the challenges of adhering faithfully to feminist participatory principles in real-life settings and the need for future research to examine the effectiveness of FPAR processes in achieving authentic collaboration among committee members who are chosen to represent disparate perspectives and are backed by vastly different levels of social and institutional power.

scholarly journals Participatory action research: Promoting partnership between a social work team and mothers of hemophiliac children

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-124
Author(s):  
Jing Yang
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Collective Responsibility ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Work Team ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Action Research Project

This article focuses on a participatory action research project as a process for improving social work practice and empowering mothers with hemophiliac children. Four stages of the action research are presented in this study. The research played a critical consciousness-raising and capacity-building role facilitating the mothers’ transformation from passive victims to active subjects. In addition, participatory action research contributed to identifying the emerging needs of families with hemophiliac children and improving the quality of social work services. We concluded that participatory action research is an effective way to empower disadvantaged people. This research methodology also facilitates social work practice in a non-traditional field. It is argued that participatory action research as a way of empowering the vulnerable also entails risks as attempts to redistribute power may earn further stigmatization and discrimination, especially from those whose existing power is challenged. Social work, as a profession committed to a more just and equal society, should be wary of this further stigmatization and insist on principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility, and respect for diversity. The article concludes by examining the limitations of employing participatory action research and makes recommendations for future programs.

On the news today: challenging homelessness through participatory action research

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-25
Author(s):  
Bruno De Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Social Issue ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Homeless People ◽  
Media Representations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Media

Purpose How can people with lived experience of homelessness actively participate in contesting their marginalisation? The purpose of this paper is to suggest that involving people who are homeless in participatory action research (PAR) is one such strategy. This paper shows that such an approach can have a significant impact on empowering people with direct of experience of homelessness to challenge prevailing social discourses, particularly in terms of the way in which the local media presents homelessness as a social issue. Design/methodology/approach A PAR approach informed the design, development and dissemination of the study on which this paper is based. Analytically, it is underpinned by Foucauldian discourse analysis (FDA). FDA, with its focus on power relations in society, is noted to be particularly useful for analysing local media representations of homeless people. Findings The research reported here found that academic practitioners and homeless people can work together to challenge media discourses, which serve to marginalise people affected by homelessness. Research limitations/implications The research reported here served to challenge some of the ways in homeless people are victimized and stigmatized. Practical implications The research reported here has the potential to inform future research concerned with understanding media presentations of homeless people. It can be seen as a model for how people affected by a particularly pernicious social issue can contribute to research in ways that go beyond researching for the sake of research. Originality/value The research reported here provides evidence of the emancipatory value of research that seeks to bring academic practitioners and homeless people together in a partnership to challenge vital social issues such as the power of the local media to frame understandings of homelessness.

scholarly journals 4.B. Skills building seminar: Participatory action research: sharing power to improve public health research outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Care Programme ◽  
Caregiver Support

Abstract This skills building seminar addresses the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR) as strategy to involve professionals and practitioners from (non-academic) health organizations in public health research. These so-called stakeholders possess external -experiential practice-based- knowledge important for a successful realization of a public health research project. After a short introduction on the why and when of PAR as a suitable strategy in public health research, and the why and when in a project's life cycle stakeholders can or must join, levels of participatory practices will be discussed, as well as consequences of transfer of power from academic researchers to professionals and practitioners in the field. The first part of the seminar will be followed by two real life examples from two projects in Germany: 1) a psycho-oncological care project -hospital-based-, where alarm bells went off during the external prospective evaluation of the new care programme. In the development phase of this new programme,key stakeholders had not been involved yet; and 2) the optimization, by inserting PAR cycles, of a stroke family caregiver support programme before implementation in a public health care system. The audience is invited to discuss research dilemmas, as well as pros and cons of the PAR strategy Key messages Participatory action research is about active collaboration between academics and health professionals to bring transformative change through the process of taking action and doing research. Sharing power between academics and health professionals is vital to improve public health research.

scholarly journals Engaging New Parents in the Development of a Peer Nutrition Education Model Using Participatory Action Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Richard Ball ◽  
Kerith Duncanson ◽  
Lee Ashton ◽  
Andrew Bailey ◽  
Tracy L. Burrows ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Child Feeding ◽  
Implementation Model

This study investigated the implementation model and research methods of a peer education program for new parents focused on infant feeding and nutrition. Two hundred and sixty-nine parents with an infant aged birth to two years old were invited to become co-researchers in a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study over three years. Data included focus group and online participant meeting transcripts, social media data, correspondence between the implementation team and peer educators, and field notes. All data were consolidated regularly and discussed by project participants and the research team. After each PAR cycle, structured content analysis was conducted, informing the next iteration of the implementation model and research methods. Participating parents were highly engaged in child feeding peer-to-peer education, but felt more effective and comfortable being considered as a child-feeding information resource sharer or ‘champion’ rather than a formal peer educator. Similarly, quantitative data collection was only effective when it was integrated seamlessly into the implementation model. PAR methodology suited the diversity and dynamic real-life study setting, facilitating substantial improvements to the peer nutrition intervention model and data collection methods. Our study demonstrated that a genuine collaboration between health professionals and participants to implement research in practice can achieve both intervention outcomes and research aims.

scholarly journals Factors influencing participatory intervention implementation to improve care coordination

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M F M Mendes ◽  
G Cazarin ◽  
M M Hemetério ◽  
I C Samico ◽  
I Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Health Network ◽  
Levels Of Care ◽  
Factors Influencing

Abstract Background Problems related to care coordination are identified as challenges to the organization of health systems. In order to improve coordination, it is necessary to invest in interventions that promote collaboration between levels of care. The study analyzes factors influencing the implementation of the intervention joint meetings between levels of care, guided by participatory action research to improve clinical coordination from the perspective of actors involved in a public health care network in Brazil. Methods Qualitative descriptive-interpretative study carried out in the health network of a municipality in the northeast of Brazil. Ten interviews were conducted to managers and health professionals, members of local steering committee and focus group with primary care physicians and specialists participating in the intervention. Thematic content analysis was used; it generated categories from theoretical and emerging frameworks. Results The willingness of professionals and management support to participate of the intervention process emerge as fundamental factors. However, they are influenced by factors of the system, such as electoral period and management change and these reflected on the slowdown and instability in implementation process. In the health network, turnover of professionals and low trust between primary and specialized care were evidenced as challenges. However, the proactive role of local steering committee, driven by participatory strategy for development of the intervention, promoted reflections and decisions agreed between professionals and managers. This rebounded on adjustments to strengthen the intervention and improvements on knowledge and collaboration between levels. Conclusions analysis of factors contributes to reflection on changes in the context, adaptation of intervention over time and importance of the role of professionals. Such understanding becomes essential for sustainability and improvement of care coordination. Key messages Knowledge about factors that influence implementation of an intervention guided by participatory action research contributes to the development of strategies aimed at its sustainability. Contextual factors that hamper improvements implementation to coordination of care can be overcome through participatory strategies mobilizing health professionals and managers.

scholarly journals Can clinical coordination be improved through Participatory Action Research (PAR) interventions?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Vargas ◽  
P Eguiguren ◽  
A S Mogollón-Pérez ◽  
I Samico ◽  
J López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Mutual Knowledge ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
Factors Influencing

Abstract Background Despite the effectiveness of Participatory Action Research (PAR) in reducing the gap between evidence and practice, its use to improve care integration is rare. The aim is to analyze the factors influencing the implementation of PAR interventions to improve clinical coordination in public health services networks of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay. Methods A qualitative, descriptive-interpretative study was conducted in participating healthcare networks of each country. Focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to a criteria sample of participants: members of Local Steering Committee (LSC)(29), professionals’ platform (PP)(28), other professionals (49) and managers(28). Thematic content analysis was performed, segmented by country and themes. Results Findings reveal that contextual factors, the PAR process and interventions’ content were determinants in the implementation, interacting over time, and differing among experiences. On the one hand, institutional support (providing the necessary resources) together with the interest of professionals and managers in participating, emerged as influencing factors influenced by other factors related to: the system (alignment with policies; electoral cycle), networks (lack of time due to work overload; precarious employment conditions) and individuals (limited mutual knowledge and mistrust). On the other, some characteristics of the PAR process facilitated institutional support and motivation: professionals’ participation in all activities, design flexibility and shared decision-making - also present when interventions were based on mutual adjustment - the LSC’s leadership and the facilitating role of the research team. Conclusions Evidence is provided that when some contextual elements converge the implementation of interventions through PAR processes can turn into a factor of motivation and cohesion, determinant for the adoption of clinical coordination interventions. Key messages Contributes to fill the knowledge gap in factors influencing the implementation of PAR interventions in healthcare. Provides a framework for analysis and recommendations for their implementation.

scholarly journals Youth Involvement in Participatory Action Research (PAR)

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jangmin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Youth Community

Participatory Action Research (PAR) has been increasingly viewed as an effective strategy to enhance youth, community-based organizations that serve youth, and broader communities. However, young people have not been frequently involved in research and evaluation efforts as co-researchers or partners. This paper explored major challenges and barriers to the active engagement of youth identified in previous PAR projects. This critical literature review revealed relational, scientific, and ethical challenges. The relational challenges included a lack of trust and unequal power relationships between youth participants and adult researchers. The scientific issues were significantly associated with the major components of the PAR, such as transformative purposes, iterative processes, and flexible methods. Finally, significant ethical issues are identified in terms of potential risks to youth, confidentiality, and informed consent. This paper concludes with specific recommendations for effective strategies to deal with the challenges and barriers identified and possible directions for future research.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effectiveness of care coordination interventions designed and implemented through a participatory action research process: Lessons learned from a quasi-experimental study in public healthcare networks in Latin America

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0261604
Author(s):  
María-Luisa Vázquez ◽  
Andrea Miranda-Mendizabal ◽  
Pamela Eguiguren ◽  
Amparo-Susana Mogollón-Pérez ◽  
Marina Ferreira-de-Medeiros-Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Intermediate Outcomes ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background Despite increasing recommendations for health professionals to participate in intervention design and implementation to effect changes in clinical practice, little is known about this strategy’s effectiveness. This study analyses the effectiveness of interventions designed and implemented through participatory action research (PAR) processes in healthcare networks of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay to improve clinical coordination across care levels, and offers recommendations for future research. Methods The study was quasi-experimental. Two comparable networks, one intervention (IN) and one control (CN), were selected in each country. Baseline (2015) and evaluation (2017) surveys of a sample of primary and secondary care doctors (174 doctors/network/year) were conducted using the COORDENA® questionnaire. Most of the interventions chosen were based on joint meetings, promoting cross-level clinical agreement and communication for patient follow-up. Outcome variables were: a) intermediate: interactional and organizational factors; b) distal: experience of cross-level clinical information coordination, of clinical management coordination and general perception of coordination between levels. Poisson regression models were estimated. Results A statistically significant increase in some of the interactional factors (intermediate outcomes) -knowing each other personally and mutual trust- was observed in Brazil and Chile INs; and in some organizational factors -institutional support- in Colombia and Mexico. Compared to CNs in 2017, INs of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico showed significant differences in some factors. In distal outcomes, care consistency items improved in Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay INs; and patient follow-up improved in Chile and Mexico. General perception of clinical coordination increased in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico INs. Compared to CNs in 2017, only Brazil showed significant differences. Conclusions Although more research is needed, results show that PAR-based interventions improved some outcomes regarding clinical coordination at network level, with differences between countries. However, a PAR process is, by definition, slow and gradual, and longer implementation periods are needed to achieve greater penetration and quantifiable changes. The participatory and flexible nature of interventions developed through PAR processes poses methodological challenges (such as defining outcomes or allocating individuals to different groups in advance), and requires a comprehensive mixed-methods approach that simultaneously evaluates effectiveness and the implementation process to better understand its outcomes.

scholarly journals To Develop Health Education Tools for Nasogastric Tube Home Caring Through Participatory Action Research

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Fang-Suey Lin ◽  
Hong-Chun Shi
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Participatory Action Research ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Oral Teaching

Medical institutions provide guidance on caring skills for home caregivers. Oral teaching is combined with graphical tools in a method that has been proved to be an effective way of quickly mastering home caring skills and promotes effective learning for home caregivers. The graphic design and operation contents of this method are constantly revised through interviews and observations, and by carrying out home care application graphics it forms a spiral structure of Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) participatory action research (PAR). In the three cycles of the operation of PDSA PAR, the designers accurately create graphics of the caring details based on the nurses’ demonstrations and develop health education tools that are suitable to provide continuous assistance and services in real-life situations. PAR combined with PDSA, in each of the three cycles of the operation—design personnel, medical personnel and home caregiver personnel, respectively—as the lead roles, guide the planning decisions for PAR. This study is a reference for the improvement and development of medical graphics for health education tools to improve accuracy.

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