Interviewing Clients: A Project to Explore Client Views About a Change in Service Provision

Abstract

This paper describes a process of asking clients their views about a change in service provision. The questionnaire development, interview process and feedback includes clients' participation. Following a pilot study, an open-ended semi-structured interview format was adopted. A study group (n = 10) and control group (n = 9) were interviewed to find out their views about two day-centre premises as well as finding out possible differences between the views of those responsible for challenging behaviour and those who were not involved in such incidents. All the clients interviewed were able to respond to some aspect of the questionnaire and, of the responses given, 78% were deemed to be valid according to our criteria. The main findings indicated that people liked the new centre better and that a spacious environment was an important factor for clients. N o differences were observed between the two groups. The more exclusive use of qualitative methods, which take into consideration the potential meanings and attitudes underlying responses, help this client group to participate more fully in service evaluation research.

How we live: participatory research with six people with learning difficulties

“…At the start of the project reported here, only a handful of studies had reported participatory methods (Brechin 1993, Minkes et al 1994, Minkes et al 1995, Rikberg Smyly 1997. These studies bear no relationship to one another.…”

“…These studies bear no relationship to one another. Each used different methods, some qualitative (Brechin 1993) others more quantitative (Minkes et al 1994, Rikberg Smyly 1997, but each sought to optimise the participation of those researched. An issue they found in common was the dif®culty of involving participants in the data analysis and the need to explore this through greater use of qualitative approaches (Rikberg Smyly 1997).…”

Needs for oral care among people with intellectual disability not in contact with Community Dental Services

“…family member or keyworker) present. The problems in interviewing people with an intellectual disability have been identified in several studies ( Smyly 1997). Most respondents found it difficult to respond to questions which asked them to give reasons or express opinions.…”

An Examination of the Importance of Aspects of Services to People with a Learning Disability

“…While such an approach helps to shape local service provision, it does not necessarily address the importance of the various factors to individuals concerned and as such the contribution they may or may not make to the individuals' quality of life (McGowan, 1996). It is often assumed that surveying the opinions of people with a learning disability about the services they receive is of particular importance because such services are more central to their lives than individuals without a learning disability (Smyly, 1997). However, in the absence of information about the salience of a service to an individual, such an assumption may be unfounded.…”

“…While a number of studies have looked at the views of learning disabled individuals on a variety of aspects of service provision, generally this has been in terms of likes, dislikes and satisfaction (Smyly, 1997;Witts & Gibson, 1997;Foote & Rose, 1993). While such an approach helps to shape local service provision, it does not necessarily address the importance of the various factors to individuals concerned and as such the contribution they may or may not make to the individuals' quality of life (McGowan, 1996).…”