Social Accountability in Medical Schools: The Role of Participatory Health Research

Chapter Summary This chapter underscores the importance of participatory health research (PHR) in advancing social accountability in medical schools, inspired by WHO policies promoting equitable involvement in health decision-making. PHR prioritizes meaningful partnerships between researchers and communities, addressing health inequities by valuing lived experiences as a resource for transformative change. It explores how PHR dismantles power hierarchies, aligns research with community health needs, and ensures relevance, quality, and equity in health outcomes. The chapter provides practical examples of participatory structures, methods, and tools while advocating for capacity building in medical schools to make participatory practices the norm, fostering socially accountable healthcare systems.