Exploring the challenges and responsibilities of mutual engagement within participatory action research

This paper draws on a London-based action research study into the factors affecting the engagement of African patients, and the wider African communities, in clinical trials. The paper argues for the use of participatory qualitative methodologies that centralize the voices of those who are mostly easily marginalized by mainstream policies. The paper describes how the
co-researchers in this study (professional/lay members from within the affected communities and academic researchers) shaped the study methodology. The paper goes on to further describe the key responsibilities of the co-researchers within this process of mutual engagement. The paper analyses the challenges and responsibilities in respect of identifying the perspectives of all co-researchers within a methodology that strives to mutually engage diverse communities of NHS clinicians and service users.
Drawing upon the findings from the data analysis, the paper will discuss emergent issues that are of particular relevance for New Labour's policies on social exclusion, cultural competence and NHS service user involvement.