In this paper, we review our experiences dealing with research governance
issues in healthcare. We indicate key ways in which creative and exploratory
design research can engage with healthcare organisations to overcome barriers
that limit the ability of both parties to realize the potential benefits of
design research.
A key lesson has been about the complex interactions between general ethical
principles as defined by a long history of ethical guidance in health (WHO,
2008) and the specific governance and oversight arrangements that apply
in our particular setting (DoH, 2005), namely an on-going National Institute
for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health
Research and Care, South Yorkshire (CLAHRC-SY).
Specific challenges in undertaking design practice and research stem from an
incompatibility between the iterative nature of design research and practice
and processes currently in place to approve projects. There is also the added
complexity of terminology, where certain processes are followed due to
classification of a project as ‘research’ (Brain et al 2013) as opposed to ‘service
improvement’ or ‘practice development’, regardless of the activity proposed or
the purpose of the project.
We will reflect on the wide range of different collaborative research, design
and service improvement activities we have undertaken and how we have
ensured the appropriate approval processes are obtained. These approaches
include classifying design research as service improvement/review activity,
as bench science and instances where design activity is provided as a service
developing an ‘intervention’ which is subsequently evaluated using traditional
research methodologies.
Design research in healthcare is an emergent discipline trying to interact with
historical systems set up for different purposes. We believe that over the last
four years we have developed ways to work with these systems that ensure the
balance between appropriate governance and the uniquely exploratory nature
of design is realised.
D4H2013
issues in healthcare. We indicate key ways in which creative and exploratory
design research can engage with healthcare organisations to overcome barriers
that limit the ability of both parties to realize the potential benefits of
design research.
A key lesson has been about the complex interactions between general ethical
principles as defined by a long history of ethical guidance in health (WHO,
2008) and the specific governance and oversight arrangements that apply
in our particular setting (DoH, 2005), namely an on-going National Institute
for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health
Research and Care, South Yorkshire (CLAHRC-SY).
Specific challenges in undertaking design practice and research stem from an
incompatibility between the iterative nature of design research and practice
and processes currently in place to approve projects. There is also the added
complexity of terminology, where certain processes are followed due to
classification of a project as ‘research’ (Brain et al 2013) as opposed to ‘service
improvement’ or ‘practice development’, regardless of the activity proposed or
the purpose of the project.
We will reflect on the wide range of different collaborative research, design
and service improvement activities we have undertaken and how we have
ensured the appropriate approval processes are obtained. These approaches
include classifying design research as service improvement/review activity,
as bench science and instances where design activity is provided as a service
developing an ‘intervention’ which is subsequently evaluated using traditional
research methodologies.
Design research in healthcare is an emergent discipline trying to interact with
historical systems set up for different purposes. We believe that over the last
four years we have developed ways to work with these systems that ensure the
balance between appropriate governance and the uniquely exploratory nature
of design is realised.
D4H2013
