User involvement and improving quality of health and social care.

Chesson, Rosemary Ann

Abstract

The aims of the work presented have been to: i) extend knowledge of the social interactions which affect health and social care delivery; and ii) improve the quality of health and social care through an increased understanding of patients’/clients’ needs and factors which influence professionals’ practice. The main considerations in selecting the work presented include the desire to provide a representative sample of output and ensure the inclusion of the most significant work published to date. All the articles are within the parameters of health services research which is described in Section 1 and its relationship with the sociology of health is considered. An important aspect of the work presented is the development of appropriate methods of enquiry. In Section 2, the nature of my contribution to understanding of health and social care provision is discussed with particular reference to neurological disorders and therapy services; patient involvement in decision making; clinical practice; multi-disciplinary working and innovative service provision. Finally, the originality of the work is considered and identified as being with regard to: the research methods developed; the novel areas investigated; the emphasis placed on inter-agency and multidisciplinary working; the development of socio-clinical research and methods of dissemination. Section 3 examines the impact of my research, not only on service provision but also the evolution of health services research. In addition, the impact of my published areas of work on recent research themes, such as patient knowledge and respite care, is discussed. In the concluding section, (Section 4), the consistency of my application to key themes is highlighted. Finally, the current status of health services research is reviewed and the current and future role of social scientists in contributing to health and social care improvement is examined.

Citation

CHESSON, R.A. 2001. User involvement and improving quality of health and social care. Robert Gordon University, PhD thesis. Hosted on OpenAIR [online]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2807325

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 23, 2025
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2807325
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2807325
• Award Date: Nov 30, 2001