New research literature database is launched
News release from NETSCC, SDO
01 October 2009
Public health researchers and practitioners can now access the People in Public Health database, a new database covering research on lay health workers and peer helpers.
With funding from the NIHR Service Delivery and Organisation programme, the Centre for Health Promotion Research at Leeds Metropolitan University has developed this database as part of its study to help develop and support lay people in public health roles. The first phase of the study involved carrying out a literature review including a comprehensive search of electronic databases and sources of "grey" literature. After screening for relevance, over 220 papers were included in the review. Each of these papers were systematically coded according to a range of categories, including country of origin, target group and whether the lay person received payment. The resulting data has been placed in a searchable database which is now available for public access at: https://piph.leedsmet.ac.uk/main/litreview.htm
A team of researchers led by Dr Jane South have identified the different ways in which lay people are involved and what health services can do to recruit, develop and support them. Using the experience and skills of lay people helps to fulfil the government's health policy agenda to ‘fully engage' communities and individuals in improving public health.
‘It is important to have an improved understanding of the different approaches and types of roles so that services can better identify, develop and support lay people in public health roles' says Dr Jane South. ‘By making this database publicly available, we hope to provide a service that researchers, practitioners and policy makers can use to identify relevant research literature on the roles of lay people in public health quickly and easily.'
The findings of the study will help NHS public health practitioners enhance the experiences of lay people taking on public health roles and improve the outcomes for individuals and families who are receiving health information, advice or support in this way.
To view the full project details click here
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Notes to editor:
- The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility. The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training. Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. www.nihr.ac.uk.
- The National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation (NIHR SDO) programme was established in 1999. It aims to improve health outcomes for people by commissioning research evidence that improves practice in relation to the organisation and delivery of healthcare. The programme also builds research capability and capacity amongst those who manage, organise and deliver services - improving their understanding of the research literature and how to use research evidence. The goal of the programme is to identify, prioritise and refine the research needs of the NHS management community. The programme commissions research that will be of great value in shaping and contributing to decision-making and in promoting the more effective use of research evidence by NHS managers.
- The Centre for Health Promotion Research was established in 1997 and is based within the Faculty of Health at Leeds Metropolitan University. The Centre has gained national and international recognition for its work in the development of health promotion theory and practice. Staff at the Centre have a strong commitment to tackling health inequalities and work closely with local communities, practitioners and the wider public health field.
- A lay person is an umbrella term used to describe anybody who is not working as a professional. Sometimes the term is just used to mean people who volunteer, but it is also used to describe people who do not have professional qualifications or clinical training. Lay people can be engaged in a whole range of public health roles; examples include providing health information, leading health walks, running community groups, delivering sessions on healthy eating and supporting breastfeeding mothers.
