Learning from the experience of working with consumers in educational developments.

AIM The aim of this paper is to report the experience of working with local parents as collaborators in an educationally focussed research study. This work subsequently led to the development of a new module aimed at professionals providing parenting support. The ensuing discussion centres on the involvement of healthcare consumers in the development of educational programmes. METHODS Focus group interviews were held with local parents to identify their various experiences of parenting support services. In addition the interviews were used as a means of recruiting local parent volunteers willing to join the research advisory group. This group had the task of guiding both the research and development of the educational programme. FINDINGS Involvement of the parents introduced fresh insights to both the understanding of the content of parent education module and the necessary ingredients needed for effective consumer involvement. CONCLUSION Lecturers have gained first hand experience of working collaboratively with parents in carrying out a research study and curriculum development. Three key issues emerged from this experience. These included the identification of who the consumer is, the approaches and skills required by professionals and lastly the importance of resources to support this commitment.