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Action research--a necessary complement to traditional health science?
Mike Walsh1, Gordon Grant, Zoë Coleman
1Department of Management and Organisation, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK. m.p.walsh@stir.ac.uk
Health Care Analysis : HCA : Journal of Health Philosophy and Policy
|October 12, 2007
Summary
Action research in health care faces funding challenges due to perceived risks. However, its complementary role in patient involvement aligns with UK health policy, offering potential for improved healthcare research.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Action Research
- Health Science
Background:
- Action research in healthcare struggles for R&D funding due to validity concerns and evaluation difficulties.
- Traditional health science, prioritizing strict methods, dominates healthcare research.
- Criticisms of scientific healthcare include a quality gap and issues with rising costs and cultural variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complementarity between health science and action research.
- To examine how action research can address UK health policy's emphasis on patient and public involvement.
- To identify barriers to action research and potential pathways for its integration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on action research and health science.
- Analysis of UK health policy shifts towards patient involvement.
- Case study illustrations of complementarity.
Main Results:
- Action research aligns with UK policy by involving patients in research processes.
- Despite policy shifts, action research remains marginalized due to systemic issues in R&D funding and evaluation.
- Two case studies demonstrate the practical complementarity between health science and action research.
Conclusions:
- Action research offers a valuable, complementary approach to health science, particularly in engaging patients and the public.
- Marginalization of action research persists without significant changes in research funding, peer review, or establishment representation.
- Transforming scientific research or modifying accountability structures is necessary for broader action research integration.
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