Will the real “Mrs Smith” please stand up: a critical examination of the role of vignettes in integrated service development and delivery

This article argues that changing the way services are organised and delivered must be underpinned by critical reflection of the assumptions which underpin attitudes towards old age, including our tendency to define older people by chronological age and to homogenise “the elderly” into a single group. The value of participatory methods which meaningfully involve older citizens in both evaluating and planning services could contribute significantly to innovation in service development. This paper highlights the critical importance of challenging age-based stereotypes and ageist policy and practice. Recognising old age as being characterised by diversity and difference could challenge the tendency to see old age, especially advanced old age, as an inevitable problem. This article offers a critical perspective on the use of vignettes.
Source: Journal of Integrated Care - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research