Community development: Knowledge, attitudes and training needs amongst professionals in Northern Ireland

Objective To evaluate the level of understanding and the practice of community development among Health and Social Service professionals in Northern Ireland and to assess the potential need for formal training in community development.Design A survey using questionnaires among a representative sample of health and social service professionals in Northern Ireland. Qualitative data was obtained from separate focus groups.Setting Questionnaires were self-completed by subjects contacted at their place of work. Focus groups were carried out by experienced interviewers in workplace settings.Method Ten Health and Social Services Community Trusts were selected to be representative of Trusts in Northern Ireland. Questionnaires were distributed to all 502 Health and Social Service professionals working in these Trusts. A focus group session was carried out in each of four Health and Social Services Community Trusts across the Province.Results The overall response rate was 57 per cent. Two hundred and eighty-seven q...