Promoting older people's voices- the contribution of social work to inter-disciplinary research.
UK government policies over the last decade or more have focussed on giving older people more voice in the design, delivery and assessment of services. Mirroring these trends, there has been a shift towards increased involvement of older people in the research process. Drawing on three research studies, this paper examines the contribution of social work to an inter-disciplinary research agenda designed to promote increased involvement of older people in issues of service quality in primarily health settings. Challenges and opportunities are discussed. Each of the studies illustrates the importance of promoting research practice congruent with social work's commitment to partnership and empowering forms of practice. This, it is argued, requires the challenging of ageist assumptions, the use of a range of research methods and the valuing of different forms of knowledge.
Powell
Jackie
J
School of Social Sciences, University of Southhampton, Highfield, Southampton, S017 1BJ, United Kingdom. J.M.Powell@soton.ac.uk
D000368:Aged; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods*; D003256:Community Participation; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000941:ethics*; D012947:Social Work / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom