Informing Health: a participative approach to health information provision

Abstract

This article reports on a research project which took place in Brighton in 2006. It was part of ongoing research into the role that information and communications technologies (ICTs) might play in enabling access to health information. It discusses the relevant policy areas, the approaches used in the research and the key findings. It sought to develop a model for good practice in community engagement around health information, adopting an approach based on participation and knowledge exchange. The discussion focuses on three themes arising from the study: different interpretations of health and health information; the role of libraries in health information provision; the benefits and issues of working in a partnership which includes community participants. The project demonstrated positive aspects of partnership working and community engagement, which can be used as a basis for further development, as well as some of the challenges inherent in such an approach.