HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) In Brief TRACK Comments: Submit a response TRACK Comments: View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when TRACK Comments are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Macaulay, A. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Macaulay, A. C.

Promoting Participatory Research by Family Physicians

McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Ann C. Macaulay, CM, MD, FCFP Participatory Research at McGill (PRAM) Department of Family Medicine McGill University 515 Pine Ave West Montreal, Quebec H2W 1S4 ann.macaulay{at}mcgill.ca

ABSTRACT

In the past, researchers have inadvertently caused stigmatization of various populations, first by not involving community members and then through publishing negative findings. In contrast, participatory research, which is based on a partnership between researchers and those affected by the issue being studied, promotes the voice of those being researched. This essay highlights key principles, processes, complexities, and challenges of participatory research and outlines when participatory research is not appropriate. It also reflects on the training and skills of family physicians that make them especially suited to participatory research. Family physicians have established clinical partnerships with their patients and sometimes entire communities, are trained in patient-centered care—a good basis for community centered research—and are accustomed to working with uncertainty. In addition, they are frequently pragmatic, interested in questions arising from their patients and communities, and likely to respond well to community requests. The main challenges to participatory research are lack of funding, expertise, and time, which may improve as more funding agencies and universities support this approach to research.

Key Words: Participatory research • community-based research • action research • family physicians • community-based participatory research

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. C. Stange In This Issue: Equity Global Theme Issue on Poverty and Human Development Ann. Fam. Med, November 1, 2007; 5(6): 482 - 483. [Full Text] [PDF]

TRACK Comments: