Normalising participatory health research approaches in the WHO European region for refugee and migrant health: a paradigm shift

Abstract

While people's involvement in health research is increasingly the encouraged norm in many countries, the involvement of refugees and migrants in research about their health is rare. Here, we call for a paradigm shift in the field of refugee and migrant health to make participatory health research routine, i.e. normalised. To disrupt 'business as usual', we synthesise evidence about meaningful research partnerships and features of inclusive participatory spaces. We present examples of decolonial, culturally attuned methods that can be used to reimagine and reinvigorate research practice because they encourage critical reflexivity and power-sharing: arts-based research using music and singing, participatory learning and action research, Photovoice and co-design (ideas generation) workshops. We consider the consequences of not making this paradigm shift. We conclude with recommendations for specific structural and policy changes and empirical research questions that are needed to inform the normalisation of participatory health research in this field.

Keywords: Community participation; Health equity; Migration; Participatory health research; Public health.