024 PP: Meaningful and engaging, or tokenistic? Reflections on collaborative engagement in the process of designing sexual health interventions

Boydell, N. and McDaid, L. (2017) 024 PP: Meaningful and engaging, or tokenistic? Reflections on collaborative engagement in the process of designing sexual health interventions. BMJ Open, 7(Suppl2), A14. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016492.42) (PMCID:PMC5759483)

Abstract

Working with non-academic partners and including participants, and other stakeholders, in the design and delivery of research is emerging as a critical element in the field of health research. As researchers based in an interdisciplinary team with a focus on the development of sexual health interventions, we have long recognised that engagement with individuals and communities is a critical part of the research process, and actively sought out opportunities to collaborate with non-academic partners with a view to ensuring that our work is relevant in the ‘real-world’. While the increasing call for ‘collaboration’, ‘patient and public involvement’ and ‘co-production’ is welcome, we recognise the possibility that without critical reflection on the part of the research team, such engagement can lack meaning for those being asked to participate, potentially reducing its value and risking it being perceived as tokenistic. In this paper we reflect on our experiences as qualitative researchers for whom a key role in interdisciplinary research teams has been undertaking a number of ‘patient public involvement’ projects with both young people and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) to inform the development of sexual health interventions. We critically reflect on some of the challenges and opportunities involved in this form of ‘consultation’, and explore the ethical implications of engaging stakeholders in identifying issues they consider important as part of the design and delivery of future interventions, but which may not be considered either a priority or feasible.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Boydell, Dr Nicola and McDaid, Professor Lisa
• Authors: Boydell, N., and McDaid, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: BMJ Open
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2044-6055
• ISSN (Online): 2044-6055
• Published Online: 03 March 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMJ Open 7(Suppl2): A14
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License