Paper short abstract:

he 'Ask us' method utilizes filmed monologues based on ethnographic research to encourage reflection on dilemmas in the care relationship. We analyze the process of creating these monologues and reflect on the specific affordances of creative methods for quality improvements in long-term care.

Paper long abstract:

Vulnerable clients (e.g. people with intellectual disabilities and serious mental illness) often experience difficulties in influencing the care they receive, and to make their problems central to the care process. The research method, "Ask us", focuses on opening up dilemmas in the care relationship (e.g. autonomy vs safety, talking about sexuality) by translating ethnographic fieldwork in long-term care into filmed monologues that aim to aid the process of experience based co-design for care improvement. Videos include the perspective of clients, healthcare professionals and informal carers, in which monologues highlights ethical tensions. We collaborated with an inclusive theater company, working with actors with and without a disability, to further develop and recite the monologues. (See https://www.eur.nl/en/eshpm/research/ask-us/videos for the videos)

In this paper we critically analyze the process of making these videos and the effects generated by them in the co-design processes. How does the collaborative process of translating the fieldwork data into filmed monologues impact the representational value of the research? In which way do the films create affect in their audience and influence their ability to reflect on ethical tensions? Following the concept of 'loose translation' (Gugenheim 2015) we discuss the specific affordances and limitations of using creative methods, such as film and theater-making, to include more voices and values in the discussion of quality improvements in long term care.