Finding out about social care: what information seekers want

Abstract

Purpose

The research reported here aims to explore the problems facing individuals searching for information about available options in choosing care services.

Design/methodology/approach

It presents data drawn from an on‐line survey, follow‐up telephone calls and a focus group, which reveals the preferences people have in searching for information about care services and the difficulties encountered.

Findings

It finds that people need information but find it complicated, unwieldy and inaccessible. In addition to using on‐line sources, they value person‐to‐person contact and information tailored to meet their specific needs.

Research limitations/implications

This study is original in raising issues and presenting findings that open up the topic of information in care decision‐making. While it relies on a self‐reporting survey and the direct participation of a small number of subjects, future research based on random sampling and a larger sample of subjects would enable these findings to be tested more thoroughly.

Practical implications

High quality, accurate information is an essential element in enabling individuals to make appropriate choices about the care they seek for themselves or their loved ones. Service providers, councils and commercial undertakings each have a part to play in facilitating that choice.

Social implications

This research highlights issues that confront both information searcher and provider, making recommendations about overcoming them. The concept of individual choice is a cornerstone of social policy but findings reveal the complexity facing individuals, providers and practitioners in making this a reality.

Originality/value

The importance of information in making decisions about care is under‐researched; this study raises issues and presents findings which open the topic for further exploration.

Citation

Bright, L., Clarke, A. and Dalley, G. (2013), "Finding out about social care: what information seekers want", Working with Older People, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1108/13663661311325508