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Determining suitability of a water laboratory innovation through systems leadership and stakeholder action research

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 20:49 authored by Grey, PA, Silvana BettiolSilvana Bettiol, Wendy QuinnWendy Quinn

This research used participatory action research to explore stakeholder engagement regarding requirements, incentives, and barriers to adopting a faecal source tracking method to identify contamination sources in surface waters. As multiple, independent stakeholders are involved, systems leadership was required to engage stakeholders to reach a common understanding and agreement on future implementation.

A multimethod participatory action research project was completed, with two components: a quantitative trial of a microbial source tracking method conducted concurrently with two iterations of qualitative research into the needs of the stakeholder system through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. The focus group was provided with the outcomes of both the quantitative method trial and the interviews as discussion stimuli. Thematic analysis of stakeholder interviews yielded key incentive and barrier themes, while the laboratory trial created a comparison library from a stakeholder site and tested the efficacy of the laboratory method. The focus group further explored key themes and identified requirements for collaborative effort across the system, as well as the need to address misinterpretation of statistical associations. Focus group discussions determined that some perceived barriers did not present an actual barrier, while confirming that others, such as method accuracy, were actual barriers.

Participatory action research was effective in exploring stakeholder interest in the proposed faecal source tracking method. Two iterations of qualitative research helped to identify the needs of individual stakeholders, and then develop collective strategies for addressing the critical incentives and barriers. Systems leadership was achieved through the engagement of stakeholders in the research, providing information on outcomes and collectively exploring the required parameters of method implementation and stakeholder participation for future development.

History

Publication title

Tasmanian Allied Health Symposium Taking Action in Our New Reality: What, Why and How

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Event title

Tasmanian Allied Health Symposium Taking Action in Our New Reality: What, Why and How

Event Venue

Newnham, Tasmania

Date of Event (Start Date)

2021-11-25

Date of Event (End Date)

2021-11-25

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Disease distribution and transmission (incl. surveillance and response); Health protection and disaster response; Public services policy advice and analysis

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