Challenges of conducting participatory user-centred ICT research with a health organisation

The value of user participation when developing and assessing information communication technologies (ICTs) is undisputed. This paper discusses the challenges of conducting fieldwork on ICTs within a health organisation. The case study of a local health authority that wishes to develop best practices for multi-site videoconferencing is presented. The various complications we have encountered thus far in this participatory research are outlined, and the strategies that our research team has developed in addressing these issues are discussed. We conclude that the benefits of participatory research most definitely outweigh any complications that arise along the journey.