Users in the Driving Seat or Sitting Alongside Map‐reading?

Abstract

The government agenda is clear. At the highest level users are involved in policy making. We as service providers need to show evidence that users views are elicited and used to improve the quality of care. The tool bag of techniques used to elicit users views will be explored--questionnaires, structured interviews, focus groups and innovative cognitive techniques such as perception score cards. We explore the continuum of user-led qualitative techniques to provider-led quantitative approaches. Building a framework of techniques which cover the diverse needs of people using a speech and language therapy (SLT) service is a challenge. A greater challenge is using the views of users to bring about meaningful change.

Communication Interventions for Families of Pre-School Deaf Children in the UK

“…Consideration of users' views is increasingly becoming an important way of improving the quality of care (Ritchie and Levens, 2001). Comments from parents of deaf children can provide insight into the more effective components of a programme.…”

“…The value of face-to-face discussions is that the facilitator can demonstrate respect and value for views expressed which ensures users feel involved and so will express more (Ritchie and Levens, 2001). …”