Older 'experts by experience' in the NHS. Version 1.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the experience of older people contributing to NHS services as ‘experts by experience’
IRAS ID
332220
Contact name
Selina L Shaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
This qualitative research project aims to explore what the experiences of older people are who contribute to service development and/or research in the NHS using a Grounded Theory approach. The study wants to explore these experiences from the viewpoint of older people who have lived experience of mental health, and what the impact of this is on their identity, wellbeing and to gain an understanding on what these experiences have meant to older people. This might help us learn more about the importance of this type of participation for older people and how to improve how we involve older people in the future.
NHS trusts value having people involved who have had first-hand experience of a problem and treatment. They understand the importance of having people having a say in how services are offered to others. However, older people, (over the age of 65), are often not included in these projects. Previous studies have found that some research includes an upper age limit. This means that older people are not asked to take part in the research and the voice of older people is not heard.
Participants are eligible if they are over the age of 65, have lived experience of mental health, and have contribute to service development and/or research in the NHS. Potential participants will be recruited from older people NHS mental health services and social media.
In this study I will interview older people over the age of 65 who have given their time to help in NHS service development or research. I will ask them to share their experiences and to find out what has worked, what has not and how helping has affected them personally. The interview will be approximately 60 minutes long, and there will be no follow up as part of this project.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0186
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jun 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion