Research showcased at Volunteering Research Conference
Representatives from CLAHRC Greater Manchester shared their research on the significant role third sector groups can play in helping patients with long term vascular conditions self-manage their care at the Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference.
The conference, which was held at Sheffield Hallam University in September, is the primary UK summit for the voluntary sector and volunteering research community. It brings together academics, practitioners and policy makers with a shared interest in the voluntary the sector and volunteering research community.
Rebecca Morris, Research Fellow on the patient’s with long term conditions research theme for CLAHRC Greater Manchester, gave a presentation on how community groups construe their role in long-term condition management and the organisational elements that influence it.
Rebecca’s presentation, entitled; ‘Connecting to local networks of support: a qualitative study exploring the role of voluntary and community groups in long term condition management,’ focused on the function of community groups and how they can support people with long term conditions.
Rebecca said: “Most Chronic Illness Management (CIM) occurs outside formal health services. The third sector in England provides a large range of services that span health and social care. These organisations are responsive to local priorities but little research has focused on their role in supporting CIM.
“We carried out 33 semi-structured interviews with third sector organisations from the North West of England. Interviews explored the organisations’ social network, funding and the local context.
“Our analysis indicated that organisations either explicitly or implicitly construed their role in supporting individual capacity for management. This was influenced by a combination of funding, group priorities and the nature of links made to other organisations.
“By examining the organisational elements of voluntary groups, this study highlighted the way in which they may support or restrict access. This has potential implications for the sustainability of broader range of resources to support CIM.”
To view the presentation click here.
Date Published: 24/09/2013