RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 How stakeholder participation can contribute to systematic reviews of complex interventions
JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JO J Epidemiol Community Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 207
OP 214
DO 10.1136/jech-2015-205701
VO 70
IS 2
A1 J Harris
A1 L Croot
A1 J Thompson
A1 J Springett
YR 2016
UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/70/2/207.abstract
AB Although patient and public involvement in research is a requirement for research funding in many countries, the knowledge base for how to effectively involve people—and evidence of the effectiveness of involvement—is weak. This article describes how methods used in participatory health research were used to involve patients, clients, providers and community health workers across all stages of a realist review. Sustained involvement enabled better identification of the components of the complex intervention of community-based peer support. It also challenged assumptions of how peer support is constructed, leading the review team to question whether the process of designing and implementing interventions has more influence on effectiveness than previously recognised in empirical studies. We conclude with a discussion on when sustained involvement should be used, and the challenges of incorporating it into the traditional researcher-led approach to systematic reviews.