Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Evidencing the value of patient and public involvement in inter-organisational health networks

Barker, Jacqueline

Evidencing the value of patient and public involvement in inter-organisational health networks Thumbnail


Authors

Jacqueline Barker



Abstract

Patient and public involvement (PPI) and inter-organisational networks (IONs) such as the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) are parallel policy responses to “wicked problems” (Rittel and Weber, 1973, p. 155) in health. The two policy responses have spawned separate literatures with little overlap.


This thesis synthesises the PPI and ION literatures to create a conceptual framework for understanding the context which an ION provides for PPI. By conceiving of PPI as one form of network-based collaboration, the framework provides a way to understand the structure, functioning, and extent of PPI in an ION. Value can then be evidenced at multiple levels. The thesis uses the conceptual framework to build theoretical propositions that are explored using a single case study design following Yin’s (2014) methodology.


The findings show that public contributors to the AHSN played a range of roles. When health professionals deployed leadership practices in meetings, they transferred power to the public contributors, giving them the opportunity to speak. If the public contributors could play a role relevant to the opportunity, then the transfer of power led to the public making a contribution to the meeting. Where the contribution fitted with the style of the meeting, this reinforced trust relationships between professionals and the public. Even the most extensively involved public contributors were outsiders to the organisation, compared to professionals. As outsiders, the public made valuable contributions to the AHSN, in particular challenging it to better implement its stated aims and objectives.


The conclusion argues that effective PPI requires dialogue between professionals and public contributors. Dialogue could be encouraged if network professionals directed their skills at the public as well as at network members. For example, public contributors could be invited to co-create the structure of PPI programmes. Professionals could give public contributors feedback part of the way through the programme. Finally, promoting the range of roles each public contributor can play

would allow the public to create value by encouraging organisations to deliver according to their aims and objectives.

Citation

Barker, J. Evidencing the value of patient and public involvement in inter-organisational health networks. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/879748

Thesis Type Thesis
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Keywords PPI, IONs
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/879748
Award Date Oct 12, 2017

Files





Downloadable Citations