Development and evaluation of an anti-ageism advisory group with older adults and gerontological experts: a qualitative descriptive study

Bibliographic Details
Title: Development and evaluation of an anti-ageism advisory group with older adults and gerontological experts: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Sherry Dahlke, Jeffrey I. Butler, Kelly Baskerville, Mary T. Fox, Alison L. Chasteen, Kathleen F. Hunter
Source: Research Involvement and Engagement, Vol 10, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2024)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Medicine
LCC:Medicine (General)
Subject Terms: Advisory group, Participatory research, Partnership approach, Older adults gerontological experts, Knowledge translation, Knowledge mobilization, Medicine, Medicine (General), R5-920
More Details: Abstract Background In recent years, academics have increasingly acknowledged the importance of involving health service users and community stakeholders as active partners in health research. Yet, the involvement of older adults, the largest group of health service users, as research partners remains limited, possibly due to ageist attitudes that devalue older adults’ contributions. During the three years of our Awakening Canadians to Ageism study, we convened an advisory group consisting of older adults and gerontological experts to discuss issues related to ageism, help interpret the study findings, and develop a range of knowledge mobilization strategies to dispel ageism. Methods To understand the experiences of members of the advisory group and solicit recommendations for improving future groups, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study and interviewed 8 older adults and 6 gerontological experts. Data were content analyzed. Results Four categories that were developed to explain participants’ experiences and suggestions for future advisory groups included: organization and management, group experience, suggestions for future advisory groups and moving forward. A key finding was the value that the older adults and gerontological experts ascribed to conversations about the prevalence of ageism and their desire to continue these types of conversations in their personal groups and professional networks. Numerous helpful strategies for future advisory groups were identified, such as enhancing social diversity, both in terms of racial/ethnic/cultural representation and gender. Older adults wanted more “getting to know you time” in meetings and gerontological experts wanted more details about the research process and their role. Conclusions This study’s partnership approach can guide researchers seeking to involve key health service users and community stakeholders in health research and help enact positive social change.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2056-7529
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2056-7529
DOI: 10.1186/s40900-024-00621-y
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/dc2a71ad5c2a485e9623009713e81bb1
Accession Number: edsdoj.2a71ad5c2a485e9623009713e81bb1
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20567529
DOI:10.1186/s40900-024-00621-y
Published in:Research Involvement and Engagement
Language:English