Cited by 76Mental Health and Patient InvolvementAging, Elder Care, and Social IssuesTechnology Use by Older Adults

Engaging older adults in healthcare research and planning: a realist synthesis

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McNeil, Heather, Elliott, Jacobi, Huson, Kelsey, Ashbourne, Jessica, Heckman, George, Walker, Jennifer, Stolee, Paul·2016·Research Involvement and Engagement

Abstract

The importance of citizen involvement in healthcare research and planning has been widely recognized. There is however, a lack of understanding of how best to engage older adults, Canada's fastest growing segment of the population and biggest users of the healthcare system. We aimed to address this gap by developing an understanding of the engagement of older adults and their caregivers in healthcare research and planning. We conducted a review of available knowledge on engagement in healthcare research and planning with a focus on older adults and their caregivers. A five stage engagement framework emerged from this study that can be used to guide engagement efforts. We are continuing to collaborate with older adults and decision makers to develop and test strategies based on the presented framework. Background The importance of engaging the community in healthcare research and planning has been widely recognized. Currently however, there is a limited focus on older adults, Canada’s fastest growing segment of the population and biggest users of the healthcare system. Objective This project aimed to develop an understanding of engagement of older adults and their caregivers in healthcare research and planning. Method A realist synthesis was conducted of the available knowledge on engagement in healthcare research and planning. The search methodology was informed by a framework for realist syntheses following five phases, including consultations with older adults. The synthesis included theoretical frameworks, and both peer-reviewed and grey literature. Results The search generated 15,683 articles, with 562 focusing on healthcare research and planning. The review lead to the development of a framework to engage older adults and their caregivers in healthcare research and planning. The 5 stages environment, plan, establish, build, and transition are accompanied with example context, mechanism, and outcomes to guide the use of this framework. Conclusion We have identified a framework that promotes meaningful engagement of older adults and their caregivers. We are continuing to collaborate with our community partners to further develop and evaluate engagement strategies that align with the presented framework.

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  • There is little evidence about effective methods to involve patients in decision aid development.

    “Regarding DA development, there is little evidence about effective methods to involve patients [14, 36].”

    From Development of a decision guide to support the elderly in decision making about location of care: an iterative, user-centered design (2016) · cites this paper as [36]

    The Background (page not provided) says more research is needed to identify the best methods for engaging patients in research. That supports the general evidence gap, but the paper does not address methods for involving patients specifically in decision aid development. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
McNeil, H., Elliott, J., Huson, K., Ashbourne, J., Heckman, G., Walker, J., & Stolee, P.
Affiliations
  • University of Waterloo (CA)
  • Conestoga College (CA)
  • Nipissing University (CA)
Corresponding author
Stolee, Paul
Venue
Research Involvement and Engagement
Published
2016-03-07
Volume
2
Issue
1
Pages
10-10
ISSN
2056-7529 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2292265563
Cited by
76
References
90
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4
FWCI
0.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Research Involvement and Engagement (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWSpace (University of Waterloo) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
University of Waterloo
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mental Health and Patient Involvement
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
Keywords
older adults, citizen participation, community participation, health care research, health planning, caregiver involvement, engagement framework, participatory research, health decision-making

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