Teamwork makes the dream work: reflecting on Mobilising Phase 1’s achievements, successes and challenges

Thomson, L.J., Waterson, H. & Chatterjee, H.J. (2024), Successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities using collaborative approaches to community-based research. International Journal for Equity in Health, 23(135). 

Published in July 2024 in the International Journal for Equity in Health, “Successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities using collaborative approaches to community-based research” aims to synthesise evidence collected by research teams from the first phase of the Mobilising Community Assets Programme. Those teams were composed of academic and non-academic, health and social care, voluntary and community partners. 

The concept of collaborative approaches involves community residents in joint decision-making processes to maintain or enhance their material and social conditions. As communities have resources and assets, they are well-placed to contribute to developing local health and wellbeing initiatives. The study aimed to synthesise evidence collected by research teams from across the UK comprising academic and non-academic, health and social care, voluntary and community partners.

After conducting ten online focus groups with research teams from across the UK and exploring the successes and challenges of partnership working to tackle health inequalities using collaborative approaches to community-based research, thematic and content analysis produced 185 subthemes from which 12 themes were identified. 

Image credit: Linda J Thomson

Those themes helped draw conclusions from the work accomplished by Mobilising Community Assets Phase 1 projects, identifying successes and challenges which helped produce a thorough, insightful map that researchers could rely upon for learning and guidance in future research partnerships with communities. 

See full study: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02216-1