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W3C-validated transitional XHTML 2.9 First steps: Engaging people
IPs will be developed and delivered locally. So the involvement of local people is essential:
- if your IPs is to meet local needs and information preferences
- to inform the design of IP delivery systems, IP templates and materials
- and to hold the local IP delivery systems to account.
General principles for engaging people
The experience from pilot sites shows clearly that involving people – especially users and carers – from the very start is essential. This is the only real way of making sure that the information provided is actually what users and carers want. Involving professionals in your early discussions, too, is the most effective way to help them to realise how much people value information and what professionals can do to make information more comprehensive and accessible. And, because IPs also need to be appropriate for individuals at different points along their care pathways, having the active involvement of professionals – their knowledge and expertise – is vital to to getting these stages right. In the 'involving people' section we have provided a number of suggestions for methods to use to involve people so that they really feel engaged in the process.
Expert Patients promote pharmacists' involvement in Information Prescriptions
The Information Prescriptions steering group in Hammersmith and Fulham includes six Expert Patient Programme graduates. These representatives have made it clear that they feel it is essential that pharmacists are involved in prescribing IPs. They believe many people with long term conditions have good relationships with pharmacists who they see frequently for repeat prescriptions, and who they could expect to have longer discussions with about their ongoing care and well being, than with a busy GP who they only visit when they are ill.
Involve
Involve is the Department of Health-funded National Advisory Group which 'aims to promote and support active public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research.' Their website provides:
- case studies highlighting examples of public involvement in health-service related research
- answers to frequently asked questions about the mechanics of involving members of the public
- details of learning and practice-sharing opportunities in respect of public involvement in research
- a library of resources on public involvement
- a virtual network - 'invoNET' – open to all and comprising 'a broad range of members including researchers, service users, carers, research funders, academics and health and social care practitioners'.
On the next page: engaging people checklist.
