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Inclusive public participation in health: policy, practice and theoretical contributions to promote the involvement of marginalised groups in healthcare
journal contribution
posted on 2015-05-05, 10:55 authored by C. de Freitas, Graham MartinMigrants and ethnic minorities are under-represented in spaces created to give citizens
voice in healthcare governance. Excluding minority groups from the health
participatory sphere may weaken the transformative potential of public participation,
(re)producing health inequities. Yet few studies have focused on what enables
involvement of marginalised groups in participatory spaces. This paper addresses this
issue, using the Participation Chain Model (PCM) as a conceptual framework, and
drawing on a case study of user involvement in a Dutch mental health advocacy
project involving Cape Verdean migrants. Data collection entailed observation,
documentary evidence and interviews with Cape Verdeans affected by psychosocial
problems (n=20) and institutional stakeholders (n=30). We offer practice, policy and
theoretical contributions. Practically, we highlight the importance of a proactive
approach providing minorities and other marginalised groups with opportunities and
incentives that attract, retain and enable them to build and release capacity through
involvement. In policy terms, we suggest that both health authorities and civil society
organisations have a role in creating ‘hybrid’ spaces that promote the substantive
inclusion of marginalised groups in healthcare decision-making. Theoretically, we
highlight shortcomings of PCM and its conceptualisation of users’ resources,
suggesting adaptations to improve its conceptual and practical utility.
Funding
This paper derives from a doctoral study funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) SFRH/BD/12376/2003.
History
Citation
Social Science & Medicine 135 (2015) 31e39Author affiliation
/Organisation/COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND PSYCHOLOGY/School of Medicine/Department of Health SciencesVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)