1. Maximising engagement and participation of intellectual disability staff in research: Insights from conducting a UK-wide survey
- Author
-
Stuart Todd, Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Janet Finlayson, Annette Boaz, Laurence Taggart, Claire Kar Kei Lam, and Jane Bernal
- Subjects
030506 rehabilitation ,Medical education ,Articles ,medicine.disease ,Health Professions (miscellaneous) ,United Kingdom ,intellectual disability staff ,03 medical and health sciences ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,research methods ,0302 clinical medicine ,response rates ,surveys ,Intellectual Disability ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Intellectual disability ,medicine ,Humans ,Sociology ,difficult topic ,0305 other medical science - Abstract
Aim: This article explores ways of maximising engagement of intellectual disability staff as research participants, research advisers and research implementers. Method: The authors describe and reflect on a three-phased strategy in recruiting front-line staff ( n = 690) working for intellectual disability service providers ( n = 25) to participate in a UK-wide anonymous online survey about death, dying and bereavement. Results: Important elements in engaging participants were: involving stakeholders at all stages of the research process, which includes: building relationships with participating organisations; enlisting organisational management support at all levels; an attractive and well laid-out collection tool; a well-structured recruitment strategy; time and flexibility; and a varied and targeted dissemination strategy. However, the recruitment method had limitations, in particular around representativeness, bias and generalisability. Conclusions: Staff in intellectual disability services can be enthusiastic and invaluable research participants. Active engagement between researchers, participating organisations and stakeholder groups is key to ensuring involvement of intellectual disability staff with research.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF