The Purpose of Research is to Change the World, not just to Understand it
Professor Marcus Longley, Director of the Welsh Institute for Health and Social Care, University of South WalesProf Longley provided an excellent overview on research defined as ‘the generation and dissemination of new knowledge, relevant to current issues and capable of being used’.
In Wales Prof Longley stated that there were two issues above all others that are present;
(1) Shameful’ record of tackling inequalities and
(2) Unsustainable use of services and the need to think about things differently.
To address these challenges there needs to be greater collaboration between key stakeholders including politicians, policy makers, practitioners and patients. These collaborations should think about the following three things;
(1) Concentrate on outcomes (highlighting relative risks and benefits)
(2) Remodel care (testing the alternative)
(3) Make change happen (a call to motive us!)
Future directions can be defined as ‘simple’ or ‘not quite so simple’ but there are a number of things that we all can do. These are;
(1) Expect policy to be testePd by research
(2) Get researchers closer to the stakeholders
(3) Design in evaluation from the start
(4) Prove the utility of research to the stakeholders
(5) Build an evidence-based culture where individuals either appreciate, participate or lead research.
Click here to see Marcus' presentation