Enhancing lives through the development of a community‐based participatory action research programme

TLDR

A five‑year community‑based participatory action research programme is examined, noting that primary healthcare philosophy demands research in practice settings and supports integrated teams and community networks, and that participatory action research is a democratic, equitable, and liberating process where participants construct meaning through group discussions. The study aims to develop a model for preventing workplace violence, improve wound‑management practice with clinicians, and manage continence for community‑dwelling women with multiple sclerosis. The authors employ participatory action research principles to guide these inquiries. The cyclical processes inherent in PAR promote reflection and reconstruction of experiences that can enhance people’s lives at individual or community levels.

Abstract

• A community‐based participatory action research (PAR) programme that has spanned 5 years is discussed in this article. A primary healthcare philosophy requires research in this practice setting and supports the way healthcare is ideally organized within an integrated team and supported by a community network that includes not only the healthcare workers and service providers but also the community as partners. • The principles driving three PAR inquiries are described: the development of a model for prevention of workplace violence; working with clinicians towards improving wound management practice; and management of continence for community‐dwelling women living with multiple sclerosis. • Participatory action research is a potentially democratic process that is equitable and liberating as participants construct meaning in the process of group discussions. • We conclude that the cyclical processes inherent in PAR promote reflection and reconstruction of experiences that can lead to the enhancement of people's lives, either at an individual or community level, or both.