You can now find a storify of the tweet chat mentioned below that took place a few weeks ago here.
Not since Grolsch bottle tops on shoes (younger readers may have to look this up) have we seen a craze like this sweep the nation.
Everywhere you go people are talking about ‘co-production.’ But no can quite define it. Or put their finger on what it looks like. Some people are putting ‘co-‘ in front of words such as ‘design,’ ‘creation’ or anything else they can think of in a desperate search for meaning. And it’s not just in research but across health and social care and wider.
Is it really a case of ‘I’ll know it when I see it?’ Or is this just public involvement dressed up as something new?
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) report ‘Going the Extra Mile’ (2015) set an aspiration that research with patients, carers and the public should increasingly be conducted along co-production principles.
A bit of a leap of faith perhaps. But, since then, INVOLVE has been asked by the NIHR to take on a national leadership role to define this topic and give people practical help and guidance. The work forms part of a wider work stream that goes under the heading of ‘community.’
Tonight from 8pm – 9pm there’s a Tweetchat with the hashtag #Qcopro where people are invited to discuss ‘What is co-production?’ and more. This part of a series of events in which INVOLVE is presenting its latest thinking.
Better still INVOLVE has produced some excellent draft guidance and principles for co-production which you can find here: https://20056-presscdn-pagely.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Draft-Guidance-on-Co-producing-Research-NIHR.pdf
What I like about this document is it begins to identify for people a way forward for making co-production happen. More so than other documents I have read and seen.
It sets out a number of approaches to implementing co-production including practical ways by which to address the key issues that are a barrier to it – such as the typical power imbalance between patients and carers and researchers or health professionals when conducting research.
The guidance is there to be improved upon. So I hope you’ll take part in the tweetchat or simply send your comments to INVOLVE.
Key questions being asked include:
- Does this draft guidance capture the key principles/features involved in co-producing research?
- What are the challenges/barriers to co-producing research?
- What practical advice would you give to someone thinking of co-producing research?
- Has anyone been involved in training on co-producing research. If so, what went well?
- What are the dangers of not co-producing research?
- Do you have ideas for research projects?
Have a good and enjoyable ‘co-produced’ day.
Simon Denegri You can also find me at:
Twitter: @SDenegri
Blog: https://simondenegri.com/
Simon Denegri You can also find me at:
Twitter: @SDenegri
Blog: https://simondenegri.com/
Simon Denegri You can also find me at:
Twitter: @SDenegri
Blog: https://simondenegri.com/
Simon Denegri's Lay Review 