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Holding E, Gettings R, Foster A, Dowrick L, Hampshaw S, Haywood A, Homer C, Booth A, Goyder E. Developing the embedded researcher role: Learning from the first year of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), Doncaster, UK. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2024; 7:100516. [PMID: 38846108 PMCID: PMC11153224 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2024.100516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Strategies to embed research knowledge into decision making contexts include the Embedded Research (ER) model, which involves the collocation of academic researchers in non-academic organisations such as hospitals and local authorities. A local authority in Doncaster, United Kingdom (UK) has adopted an embedded researcher model within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). This five-year collaboration enables universities and local authorities to work together to reduce health inequalities and target the social determinants of health. Building on previous embedded research models, this approach is unique due to its significant scale and long-term investment. In this opinion paper Embedded Researchers (ERs) reflect on their experiences of the first year of the collaboration. Study design A reflective consultation exercise. Methods Observation of HDRC delivery meetings, as well as informal discussions and a short proforma with ERs (N = 8). Results ERs valued the five-year timeframe which provided a unique opportunity for strengthened relationships and to apply formative learning as the programme progressed. However, differences in knowledge of undertaking research across the HDRC team and between practitioners and academics require each to respect different professional experiences and to avoid potential power imbalances. Diverse projects required researchers to be generalists, applying their expertise to multiple topics. This requires careful priority setting alongside workload and expectation management. Conclusions The significant scale and investment of the HDRC provides a unique opportunity for developing the ER role by applying formative learning as the programme progresses. However, success will require careful management of workload allocation and relationships between ERs and practitioners. Further learning on how to embed ERs within local authority contexts will emerge as the programme matures.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Holding
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, University of Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - R. Gettings
- Advanced Well-being Research Centre (AWRC), Sheffield Hallam University, Olympic Legacy Park, 2 Old Hall Road, Sheffield, S9 3TU, UK
| | - A. Foster
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, University of Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - L. Dowrick
- Advanced Well-being Research Centre (AWRC), Sheffield Hallam University, Olympic Legacy Park, 2 Old Hall Road, Sheffield, S9 3TU, UK
| | | | - A. Haywood
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, University of Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - C. Homer
- Advanced Well-being Research Centre (AWRC), Sheffield Hallam University, Olympic Legacy Park, 2 Old Hall Road, Sheffield, S9 3TU, UK
| | - A. Booth
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, University of Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
| | - E. Goyder
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (ScHARR), Division of Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, University of Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, S1 4DA, UK
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Muhl C, Mulligan K, Bayoumi I, Ashcroft R, Godfrey C. Establishing internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing through expert consensus: a Delphi study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070184. [PMID: 37451718 PMCID: PMC10351285 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to establish internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing. DESIGN A three-round Delphi study was conducted. SETTING This study was conducted virtually using an online survey platform. PARTICIPANTS This study involved an international, multidisciplinary panel of experts. The expert panel (n=48) represented 26 countries across five continents, numerous expert groups and a variety of years of experience with social prescribing, with the average being 5 years (range=1-20 years). RESULTS After three rounds, internationally accepted conceptual and operational definitions of social prescribing were established. The definitions were transformed into the Common Understanding of Social Prescribing (CUSP) conceptual framework. CONCLUSION This foundational work offers a common thread-a shared sense of what social prescribing is, which may be woven into social prescribing research, policy and practice to foster common understanding of this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Muhl
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kate Mulligan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Imaan Bayoumi
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachelle Ashcroft
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christina Godfrey
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra Westlake
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Stephanie Tierney
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Geoff Wong
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Kamal R Mahtani
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
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Tierney S, Potter C, Eccles K, Akinyemi O, Gorenberg J, Libert S, Wong G, Turk A, Husk K, Chatterjee HJ, Webster E, McDougall B, Warburton H, Shaw L, Mahtani KR. Social prescribing for older people and the role of the cultural sector during the COVID-19 pandemic: What are link workers' views and experiences? HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e5305-e5313. [PMID: 35869795 PMCID: PMC9349870 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Older people's well-being can be bolstered by engaging with cultural activities and venues. They may be encouraged to try cultural offers by a link worker as part of social prescribing. However, the cultural sector, like all parts of life, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; this has had implications for cultural offers available to link workers. A study was conducted to explore the views and experiences of link workers in using the cultural sector within social prescribing, particularly for older people (aged 60+) during the pandemic. An online questionnaire was distributed to and completed by link workers in the UK. Data were analysed mainly using descriptive statistics. Open text responses were clustered into similar ideas to create key concepts. Useable responses were received from 148 link workers. They highlighted a general lack of interaction between link workers and the cultural sector about how the latter could support social prescribing. Results suggested that personal familiarity with cultural offers might prompt link workers to refer to them. Some respondents proposed that cultural offers were regarded as elitist, which deterred them from referring there. However, there was a general acknowledgement that the cultural sector could contribute to social prescribing. Link workers need to regard the cultural sector as accessible, appropriate, adequate, affordable and available before referring older people to cultural offers as part of social prescribing. Link workers may benefit from becoming more familiar with cultural sector staff and offers, including online resources, so they can then propose them to patients with confidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tierney
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Caroline Potter
- Nuffield Department of Population HealthUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Oluwafunmi Akinyemi
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Jordan Gorenberg
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Sebastien Libert
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Geoff Wong
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Amadea Turk
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Kerryn Husk
- Peninsula Medical SchoolUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK
| | | | - Emma Webster
- Gardens, Libraries and MuseumsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Beth McDougall
- Gardens, Libraries and MuseumsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Lucy Shaw
- Gardens, Libraries and MuseumsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Kamal R. Mahtani
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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Tierney S, Libert S, Gorenberg J, Wong G, Turk A, Husk K, Chatterjee HJ, Eccles K, Potter C, Webster E, McDougall B, Warburton H, Shaw L, Roberts N, Mahtani KR. Tailoring cultural offers to meet the needs of older people during uncertain times: a rapid realist review. BMC Med 2022; 20:260. [PMID: 35999539 PMCID: PMC9398500 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02464-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-medical issues (e.g. loneliness, financial concerns, housing problems) can shape how people feel physically and psychologically. This has been emphasised during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially for older people. Social prescribing is proposed as a means of addressing non-medical issues, which can include drawing on support offered by the cultural sector. METHOD A rapid realist review was conducted to explore how the cultural sector (in particular public/curated gardens, libraries and museums), as part of social prescribing, can support the holistic well-being of older people under conditions imposed by the pandemic. An initial programme theory was developed from our existing knowledge and discussions with cultural sector staff. It informed searches on databases and within the grey literature for relevant documents, which were screened against the review's inclusion criteria. Data were extracted from these documents to develop context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs). We used the CMOCs to refine our initial programme theory. RESULTS Data were extracted from 42 documents. CMOCs developed from these documents highlighted the importance of tailoring-shaping support available through the cultural sector to the needs and expectations of older people-through messaging, matching, monitoring and partnerships. Tailoring can help to secure benefits that older people may derive from engaging with a cultural offer-being distracted (absorbed in an activity) or psychologically held, making connections or transforming through self-growth. We explored the idea of tailoring in more detail by considering it in relation to Social Exchange Theory. CONCLUSIONS Tailoring cultural offers to the variety of conditions and circumstances encountered in later life, and to changes in social circumstances (e.g. a global pandemic), is central to social prescribing for older people involving the cultural sector. Adaptations should be directed towards achieving key benefits for older people who have reported feeling lonely, anxious and unwell during the pandemic and recovery from it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Geoff Wong
- University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Amadea Turk
- University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucy Shaw
- University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Nia Roberts
- University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
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