The role of systems research and operational research in community involvement: a case study of a health action zone. (Research Paper)

In recent years community involvement and increasingly local partnerships with community groups have become central themes in debates and policies surrounding urban regeneration. The paper attempts to explore the contribution that operational research and systems research could make to these debates. The potential contribution will be illustrated by a case study on developing community involvement in the context of a local area health initiative, namely the Health Action Zone Programme. The case study describes work undertaken over a period of two years, ending in April 2001, and reflects on how community involvement as a strategy was formed through paying attention to local relationships, and institutions. A range of participatory techniques was used as well as methods from operational research and the systems field. A framework for community involvement was developed from the work and will be presented. Keywords community involvement; regeneration; systems thinking; community OR
INTRODUCTION Probably the most important theme of the UK government's regional policy for health is regeneration. It is claimed that the processes and partnerships put in place to regenerate areas [...]