Looking forward and thinking together – User involvement in Practice in Appearance related projects

Over the last decade there has been an increased emphasis in the active involvement, participation and consultation of all users of the health service. Despite such directives, if participation is to be meaningful, effective and sustainable, there still needs to be a move to sharing ways of working which aims to put all users at the centre (Coad & Houston, 2007). However, involving users can present many challenges in the context of the health and social care settings and this workshop will aim to unravel specific issues relating to appearance related work.

Aim

This workshop will include issues not only about involvement of users in appearance related work but also delegates will have the opportunity to explore their own issues relating to user consultation and/or research work. Learning Outcomes. At the end of the presentation delegates will:

Understand the contextual issues related to involving users in consultation and/or research settings in appearance related work

Explore the challenges of involving users in consultation and/or research work, through

discussion and sharing of expertise. Structure and content:

During the workshop the emphasis will be on looking forward and thinking together and is based on the experiences and extensive project work undertaken by the presenters.

We envisage the workshop being for no more than 25 people in a room prepared for innovative group work