Hi, Hilda Näslund, researcher at Umeå University! Now that the project has concluded, what have you found?
In this project, we have explored user-focused monitoring from several perspectives. We have provided an overview of how the method is used in Sweden and analyzed how user focused monitoring can contribute to a recovery-oriented practice. Furthermore, we have identified key components for sustainable implementation and followed up on the outcomes of completed evaluations.
A central finding is that user-focused monitoring operates on multiple levels. It can empower participants and influence how services are developed. Additionally, it can provide valuable insights into how care and support systems function—knowledge that can benefit both user organizations and decision-makers at a broader level.
For user focused monitoring to be sustainable, stable funding is needed, along with recurring and well-followed-up efforts, and autonomy for the user monitor. We also found that trust among all parties involved is crucial. It is equally important that staff in the evaluated services understand the purpose and process of user focused monitoring—this facilitates implementation and helps ensure the results are utilized.
Our findings also highlight the need for a clear plan on how the results of user-focused monitoring will be used within the organization, and for follow-up on how the change process progresses. This is essential for user-led reviews to truly lead to improvements.
Was there any result that surprised you?
One striking finding was that none of the five services we followed had provided feedback to service users on how their input and experiences had been taken into account. This was despite several services reporting that the evaluation had led to positive changes—both in terms of concrete improvements and better relationships between service users and staff. Our studies emphasize how important feedback is. When service users are not informed about the impact of their participation, there is a risk that engagement will decline and trust in the process will be undermined. Feedback is therefore crucial for creating meaningful and sustainable service user involvement.
Who will benefit from the results?
We hope the results will be useful to everyone working to strengthen service user involvement—both within the user movement and in practice. Our findings are particularly valuable for those interested in user-focused monitoring as a method and who want to understand how to create better conditions for these evaluations to have an impact and lead to real change.
What happens next?
We have now submitted the final study of the project, in which we follow the outcomes of completed user-focused evaluations. A report summarizing the project’s key findings will also be published shortly. In parallel, we have received funding within the UserInvolve framework for a so-called utilization project, which is now underway. During the project, we collaborated with NSPH Västra Götaland and Göteborg, Verdandi, and the User-focused Monitoring Agency in Uppsala County—and this collaboration continues in the new project. As part of the utilization project, we will develop working materials based on the research findings and the knowledge needs identified in a workshop with representatives from both the user movement and practice. It is an exciting endeavor that we look forward to sharing!
