Grounding policy development within an educational setting: an exploration

Objective To explore an approach for informing the development of regional policy by eliciting the considered views of GP participants at an education al event. In particular we discuss the reaction of GP participants to this approach. (In this instance our GP participants were trainers and the evolv ing policy under discussion was that of 'clinical governance'.) Method An educational event was planned to facilitate discussion and the re cording of the considered views of GP trainer participants. The acceptabili ty of this approach to the participants was evaluated via observation and t hrough feedback forms. Results While observation suggested that the participants were involved in many lively and constructive discussions, the feedback generated showed tha t many participants felt uncomfortable about the use of an educational even t to inform development. Discussion We recognize the need to inform and facilitate change through th e involvement of those who will be participants in the change process. The rapid timescales imposed by change and the 'burden' of additional research involvement on practitioners are issues. Approaches based on action researc h and participatory research principles may have potential and can throw li ght on the difficulties we experienced. Conclusion We need to identify approaches which will allow us to ground dev elopment within the views of those to be affected by change. Our own attemp t demonstrated difficulties. We would welcome further debate over methods a nd approaches applicable in this border territory between research, develop ment and education.