Service user involvement in cancer professionals’ education : perspectives of service users

Background: Service user involvement has been demonstrated as an important aspect of cancer professionals' education. There is some understanding of service users' incentive to be involved, but little insight into what motivates them. This study explores this concept more fully.

Purpose: To explore the motivations and experience of service users' involvement in radiotherapy and oncology education.

Materials and methods: One-to-one interviews were conducted with service users who have been involved in education at the university. Thematic analysis was conducted. Five participants were asked about their motivations and experience of taking part in a variety of educational activities.

Results: The experience of being involved gave the participants a sense of wellbeing and purpose. Three sub-themes were identified that related to service users' motivation for being involved in educational activities with undergraduate students. These were to promote awareness by sharing their experiences of cancer; improve patient care through learning from negative experience; and personal reward skills for survivorship.

Conclusions: This study has highlighted the importance of hearing the voice of the service users; a two-way engagement for which there are benefits for both the students and service users. The involvement of service users in education becomes part of their personal journey.