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

This paper is based on an exploratory action research study into the factors affecting the engagement in HIV drugs trials of African patients and the wider African communities in London, United Kingdom (UK). The paper describes how the co-researchers in this study (UK professional/
lay members from within the affected communities and academic researchers) shaped the study methodology and developed a variety of methods of data collection and purposive sampling. The key responsibilities of the co-researchers in this process of mutual engagement are described as well as the challenges and responsibilities they addressed; which are analysed in relation to coresearchers’ identification of their own perspectives
in a participatory methodology aiming to mutually engage diverse communities of National Health Service (NHS) clinicians and marginalized users/community members. Drawing on the findings from qualitative data analysis, the paper will also discuss several emergent issues of particular relevance for enhancing our healthcare knowledge/practice in
context of ‘New’ Labour policies on social exclusion, immigration/asylum, cultural competence and user involvement in the NHS. The recommendations argue for the use of participatory qualitative
methodologies that centralize the voices of those who are mostly easily marginalized by mainstream policies.