ArticleBMC health services research2007
Involving deprived communities in improving the quality of primary care services: does participatory action research work?
Article in BMC health services research, 2007. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Engaging patients to improve quality of care: a systematic review.Implementation science : IS · 2018Pooled it
- Coverage and quality of patient participation groups: a mixed-methods analysis of Care Quality Commission reports.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026Article
- Evaluating the implementation of the 'Patient Safety Caravan' for patient engagement in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- A Proposal for Addressing Bioethical Concerns Along the 10-Step Framework for Community Engagement.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Article
- Adapting an Osteoarthritis Peer Mentorship Intervention for Remote Delivery to People Experiencing Socioeconomic Disadvantage: A Multi-Method Approach.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Article
- Optimizing the Maastricht Work-Related Support intervention in clinical patient care: the value of integrating action research into intervention mapping.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- A rapid realist review of patient engagement in patient-oriented research and health care system impacts: part one.Research involvement and engagement · 2021Review
- Participatory health research with migrants: Opportunities, challenges, and way forwards.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2021Review
- Clients' Perspectives on Quality of Delivery Services in a Rural Setting in Tanzania: Findings from a Qualitative Action-Oriented Research.International journal of MCH and AIDS · 2017Article
- Access to primary care for socioeconomically disadvantaged older people in rural areas: a realist review.BMJ open · 2016Review
- What is the evidence base for public involvement in health-care policy?: results of a systematic scoping review.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2015Article
- Opportunities and challenges associated with engaging immigrant women in participatory action research.Journal of immigrant and minority health · 2013Review
- Community engagement in research: frameworks for education and peer review.American journal of public health · 2010Article
- Lack of effective communication between communities and hospitals in Uganda: a qualitative exploration of missing links.BMC health services research · 2009Article
- Community Dermatology: Current Status and the Way Forward.Indian dermatology online journalReview
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundParticipation by communities in improving the quality of health services has become a feature of government policy in the United Kingdom. The aim of the study was to involve a deprived community in the UK in shaping quality improvements of local primary care services. The specific objectives were firstly to create participation by local people in evaluating the primary care services available in the area and secondly to bring about change as a result of this process.
methodsThe methods of participatory action research was used. The study was set in an area of high socio-economic deprivation served by a 'Local Health Care Co-operative' in a peripheral housing estate in Glasgow, Scotland. 72 local residents took part in 11 focus groups: eight of these were with community groups and three with other residents. 372 local residents completed questionnaires either by brief face-to-face interviews (114) or by self or carer completion (258).
resultsThe study group produced recommendations on physical access to the health centre, time constraints in accessing services and problems encountered in individual relationships with health staff. They also highlighted the social gap between health service providers and the daily life of community residents. Action was taken to bring these recommendations to the attention of the Primary Care Organisation.
conclusionParticipatory action research was used to involve a deprived community in the UK in a 'bottom-up' approach aimed at improving quality of local primary care services. Although successful in creating a partnership between academic researchers and lay researchers and participation by local people in evaluating the primary care services available in the area, the impact of the study in terms of immediate action taken over specific issues has been modest. The possible reasons for this are discussed.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.