Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews

Abstract Background Engaging youth throughout the research process improves research quality and outcomes. Youth advisory groups provide one way for youth to express their opinions on relevant issues. Objective This study aimed to identify research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups (‘groups’...

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Main Authors: Michelle Chan, Shannon D. Scott, Alyson Campbell, Sarah A. Elliott, Hannah Brooks, Lisa Hartling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-10-01
Series:Health Expectations
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13316
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spelling doaj-80dd442d1cb243d7abd97e95fe9828152021-09-30T16:23:04ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252021-10-012451763177910.1111/hex.13316Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviewsMichelle Chan0Shannon D. Scott1Alyson Campbell2Sarah A. Elliott3Hannah Brooks4Lisa Hartling5Faculty of Nursing University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta CanadaFaculty of Nursing, ECHO Research University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta CanadaFaculty of Nursing University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta CanadaFaculty of Nursing University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta CanadaAbstract Background Engaging youth throughout the research process improves research quality and outcomes. Youth advisory groups provide one way for youth to express their opinions on relevant issues. Objective This study aimed to identify research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups (‘groups’) in Canada and understand the best practices of these groups. Methods Google searches and supplementary methods were used to identify relevant groups in Canada. Group information was extracted from websites or through interviews with key informants. Results We identified 40 groups. Groups were commonly part of a hospital/healthcare facility, nonprofit/health organization or research group. The majority focused on a specific content area, most commonly, mental health. Over half the groups advised on health services. Members' ages ranged from 9 to 35 years. The number of members ranged from 5 to 130. Interviews (n = 12) identified seven categories relating to group practices: (a) group purpose/objectives, (b) group development, (c) group operations, (d) group structure, (e) adult involvement, (f) membership and recruitment and (g) group access. Challenges and facilitators to the success of groups were described within the following themes: (a) retaining engagement, (b) creating a safe environment and (c) putting youth in positions of influence. Advice and recommendations were provided regarding the development of a new group. Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive overview of research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada. This information can be used to identify groups that stakeholders could access as well as inform the development of a new group. Patient or Public Contribution Youth advisory group representatives were interviewed as part of the study.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13316advisory groupengagementenvironmental scanhealthqualitative interviewsresearch
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Michelle Chan
Shannon D. Scott
Alyson Campbell
Sarah A. Elliott
Hannah Brooks
Lisa Hartling
spellingShingle Michelle Chan
Shannon D. Scott
Alyson Campbell
Sarah A. Elliott
Hannah Brooks
Lisa Hartling
Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
Health Expectations
advisory group
engagement
environmental scan
health
qualitative interviews
research
author_facet Michelle Chan
Shannon D. Scott
Alyson Campbell
Sarah A. Elliott
Hannah Brooks
Lisa Hartling
author_sort Michelle Chan
title Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
title_short Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
title_full Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
title_fullStr Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
title_full_unstemmed Research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada: An environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
title_sort research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in canada: an environmental scan with stakeholder interviews
publisher Wiley
series Health Expectations
issn 1369-6513
1369-7625
publishDate 2021-10-01
description Abstract Background Engaging youth throughout the research process improves research quality and outcomes. Youth advisory groups provide one way for youth to express their opinions on relevant issues. Objective This study aimed to identify research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups (‘groups’) in Canada and understand the best practices of these groups. Methods Google searches and supplementary methods were used to identify relevant groups in Canada. Group information was extracted from websites or through interviews with key informants. Results We identified 40 groups. Groups were commonly part of a hospital/healthcare facility, nonprofit/health organization or research group. The majority focused on a specific content area, most commonly, mental health. Over half the groups advised on health services. Members' ages ranged from 9 to 35 years. The number of members ranged from 5 to 130. Interviews (n = 12) identified seven categories relating to group practices: (a) group purpose/objectives, (b) group development, (c) group operations, (d) group structure, (e) adult involvement, (f) membership and recruitment and (g) group access. Challenges and facilitators to the success of groups were described within the following themes: (a) retaining engagement, (b) creating a safe environment and (c) putting youth in positions of influence. Advice and recommendations were provided regarding the development of a new group. Conclusion This study provides a comprehensive overview of research‐ and health‐related youth advisory groups in Canada. This information can be used to identify groups that stakeholders could access as well as inform the development of a new group. Patient or Public Contribution Youth advisory group representatives were interviewed as part of the study.
topic advisory group
engagement
environmental scan
health
qualitative interviews
research
url https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13316
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