Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39994729›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Community engagement approaches to improve health: a cross-case study analysis of barriers and facilitators in UK practice.

Anne-Marie Bagnall, Jane South, Karina Kinsella, Joanne Trigwell, Kevin Sheridan, Angela Harden

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Anne-Marie BagnallSchool of Health, Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK. a.bagnall@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
Jane SouthSchool of Health, Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
Karina KinsellaSchool of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
Joanne TrigwellSchool of Health, Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK.
Kevin Sheridan(Formerly at) Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London, London, UK.
Angela HardenSchool of Health Sciences, City University, London, UK.

Funding

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NICE871
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInterventions that engage communities have been shown to improve health and wellbeing in disadvantaged groups internationally, but there is little evidence on current community-led practice, particularly in relation to the process of community engagement. This paper presents a qualitative cross-case analysis of barriers & facilitators in six UK community engagement projects, using different models of community engagement.

methodsThe primary sampling criteria was the type of approach to community engagement, using a conceptual framework with four main groups: Strengthening communities; Volunteer and peer roles; Collaborations and partnerships; Connecting to community resources. Qualitative interview-based methods (semi-structured interviews and focus groups) explored community and professional perspectives in depth. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, building within-case studies before comparing findings and using an iterative process to build explanations in a cross-case analysis.

resultsFifty-five people (28 community stakeholders and 27 professional stakeholders) from six selected case study projects took part in the research. Key themes related to successful community engagement were: trust within the community and between community members and service providers; respect for community members' expertise; allowing sufficient time for relationships to establish and for outcomes to be seen; commitment of key people; and flexibility.

conclusionsThis qualitative case study research found that in successful community engagement projects, community expertise is respected and valued, allowing community members to be fully involved and take ownership of the projects. Sufficient time should be allowed for this process. Flexibility and adaptation of project materials, protocols and role descriptions is important in overcoming barriers to community engagement.

Indexed as

Community ParticipationHealth PromotionFocus GroupsHumansInterviews as TopicOrganizational Case StudiesQualitative ResearchUnited KingdomCommunity engagementCross-case analysisHealth and wellbeingHealth equityHealth inequalitiesHealth promotionPublic healthQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID39994729
PMCPMC11849216

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LicenceCC BY
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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.