They found, for instance, that a lack of bodily control around starting and stopping long-acting reversible contraception is a significant deterrent in their use, leading some young people to choose more flexible methods such as the contraceptive pill.
Such a finding reveals the contrast between what service providers believe to be a good method (for instance, the high efficacy rates of long-acting reversible contraception and the limited ongoing effort required) and what service users think is important when making decisions about their health (in this case, more control).
Involving young people with lived experience in this project has improved the quality and relevance of the data collected and in doing so, will hopefully lead to the development of interventions and recommendations that fit better with young people’s issues and interests.
Further information
Healthwatch Greenwich is a statutory organisation for people who use health and social care services in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We carry out qualitative and quantitative research on a wide variety of health and social care related projects, through face to face and virtual engagement activities. We seek out as many ways as possible to involve service users, carers, and the public in our work in a process of shared learning and knowledge exchange.