Abstract:

• This paper describes an action research study in a community setting.

• A group of residents from a local housing estate and a number of local workers used participative methods to explore local child care issues with the aim of developing initiatives for improved child care.

• The paper describes the study processes and reflects on lessons learnt.

• A discussion of implications for interprofessional working concludes the paper and includes emphasis of the need to focus on shared objectives, and develop appropriate organizational structures and educational provision.

Keywords: action research; child care; health improvement; interprofessional working

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2702.2002.00622.x

Affiliations: 1: Health Promotion Co-ordinator, Healthworks, Wimborne, Dorset, UK, 2: Head of Research, Institute of Health and Community Studies, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK