A realist synthesis of the evidence on outreach programmes for health improvement of Traveller Communities

Lhussier, Monique, Carr, Susan and Forster, Natalie (2016) A realist synthesis of the evidence on outreach programmes for health improvement of Traveller Communities. Journal of Public Health, 38 (2). e125-e132. ISSN 1741-3842

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdv093

Abstract

Background: Improving the health of Traveller Communities is an international public health concern but there is little evidence on effective interventions. This study aimed to explain how, for whom and in what circumstances outreach works in Traveller Communities.

Methods: A realist synthesis was conducted. Systematic literature searches were conducted between August and November 2011. Grey literature was sought and key stakeholders were involved throughout the review process. Iterative steps of data extraction, analysis and synthesis, followed by additional searches were undertaken.

Results: An explanatory framework details how, why and in what circumstances participation, behaviour change or social capital development happened. The trust status of outreach workers is an important context of outreach interventions, in conjunction with their ability to negotiate the intervention focus. The higher the outreach worker’s trust status, the lower the imperative that they negotiate the intervention focus. A ‘menu’ of reasoning mechanisms is presented, leading to key engagement outcomes.

Conclusions: Adopting a realist analysis, this study offers a framework with explanatory purchase as to the potential of outreach to improve health in marginalised groups.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: health promotion, population-based and preventative services, relationships
Subjects: A100 Pre-clinical Medicine
B900 Others in Subjects allied to Medicine
L300 Sociology
L900 Others in Social studies
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Depositing User: Monique Lhussier
Date Deposited: 18 Aug 2015 08:14
Last Modified: 21 Mar 2020 10:30
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/23003

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