INVOLVE Conference 2006

Go Back 

People with learning disabilities' and carers' research questions for investigating health risks

Most people with learning disabilities, family carers, and care-workers do not get the chance to decide about research projects. Anita Young asked 20 people with learning disabilities and 20 carers / care-workers about the big questions for doing a research project. The project was about making things better for health.

Anita will talk about how she spoke to the 40 people using stories and pictures. Two stories told different kinds of harm about heart disease. Everyone was asked to give a question for each story. Seventy-eight questions were given, and from these came six big ideas to study.

Anita talked about the six big ideas with other groups of people with learning disabilities, carers and care-workers. All groups agreed that the six big ideas were the right ones.

Then the 40 people chose their top big idea.

The study showed that people with learning disabilities and carers can make up questions to study what theyfeel is important. Also they can decide what to study first.

You will have the chance to discuss how professionals may feel about research questions made up people with learning disabilities.

About the presenter

Anita Young trained as an occupational therapist and has worked in the NHS for over 20 years. She completed a doctorate in health services research in 2002. Currently Anita is seconded part time from the NHS to the Robert Gordon University to carry out clinical research, thus developing a research/practice alliance.

Following Rosemary Chesson's move to Aberdeen the focus of her work has been children and adults with disabilities and their views on services and care. Rosemary is Chair of the Carers Research Partnership, past president of the Scottish Society of Rehabilitation, and leader of the research programme "Influencing change in Practice and user / carer Involvement" for NHS Grampian.

Top of Page