Researching Health Care 'Consumers'

The NHS continues to undergo a series of reforms with an increasing emphasis on user 'choice' and 'empowerment' of health service users, with the requirement that all aspects of health care operate from an 'evidence' or 'knowledge' base. This text presents a variety of research methods that have been used to elicit users' views of health care, including health forums, public opinion surveys and focus groups. It provides a critical overview of key contemporary research issues and methodologies, and will be a valuable resource for anyone doing research with consumers of health services.