Why use Appreciative Inquiry? Lessons learned during COVID-19 in a UK maternity service

Abstract

Choosing the 'right' research method is always an important decision. It affects the type of study questions that can be answered. In addition, the research method will have an impact on the participants -how much of their time it takes, whether the questions seem important to them and whether there is any benefit in taking part. This is especially important when conducting research with staff in health services. This article is a reflection on the process of using Appreciative Inquiry (AI) in a study that explored staff wellbeing in a UK maternity unit. We share our key learnings to help others decide if AI will fit their research aims, as well as highlight issues in its design and conduct. We discuss our experience of using AI,the strengths and limitations of this approach, and conclude with points to consider if you are thinking about using AI. Although a study team was actively involved in decisions, this paper is largely based on reflections by the first author, the researcher conducting the field work in the maternity services.

Aotearoa New Zealand, graduate midwives: What keeps them working in the tertiary hospital (core) environment? An Appreciative Inquiry.

“…The study authors reported a potential negative aspect of Appreciative Inquiry when participants were unable to find positive elements in their current work situation or had little proposals to improve their situation. Similar findings were also reported by Arnold et al, (2022), who used an Appreciative Inquiry to explore staff well-being in a UK maternity unit during COVID-19.…”

“…Internationally, Appreciative Inquiry is also being increasingly adopted within the midwifery profession as a driver to understand and implement positive change. (Arnold et al, 2022;Dewar et al, 2020;Maxwell, Black, & Baillie, 2015;Sidebotham et al, 2015).…”

“…It aims to create practical and collaborative change, rooted in the experience of the stakeholders (Arnold et al, 2022). A social constructionist assumption is that knowledge is locally constructed and constantly co-created by people interacting (Trajkovski et al, 2013).…”

“…It is particularly effective at injecting optimism and energy when the need for change has been identified. Appreciative Inquiry is an evolving approach to transformation (Arnold et al, 2022). Appreciative Inquiry seeks what gives 'life' to a system and searches for the best in people and organisations, acknowledging and celebrating successes (Carter, 2006;Sharp, Dewar, & Barrie, 2016;Van Der Haar & Hosking, 2004).…”

Leadership perspectives on resilience capabilities for navigating disruption

“…The right questions have the propensity for participants to focus from an alternative perspective. Recalling positive experiences also has a progenitive potential to forge resilience and foster trust and openness to creativity (Arnold et al , 2022).…”