The Gallery Walk as a method for patient and public involvement in health research: a case study in dementia care

Participatory and transdisciplinary approaches in health research continue to face challenges such as disciplinary silos, power asymmetries, and a lack of accessible formats that enable meaningful dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experience. This study examines the Gallery Walk as a participatory method in health research, using a workshop on diversity and social position in dementia care to reflect on its potential, limitations, and suitability. Twenty participants — researchers, practitioners, individuals living with dementia, and family caregivers — took part in a Gallery Walk across four themed stations. Contributions were documented on flipcharts to support iterative and cumulative discussion, followed by a plenary synthesis. The Gallery Walk facilitated exchange among heterogeneous groups, supported iterative knowledge building, and generated practice-oriented recommendations. Implementation challenges included the need for careful preparation, skilled facilitation, and adequate resources for documentation and analysis. The use of the Gallery Walk Walk in this workshop demonstrates its significant potential as a participatory and interdisciplinary method in health research. By rotating through thematic stations, engaging with visual content, and iteratively addressing key questions, participants were able to incorporate diverse disciplinary and experiential perspectives. This approach fostered the development of practical recommendations and ensured the meaningful involvement of individuals with dementia and their families. The findings highlight that the Gallery Walk's accessibility and focus on visual elements promote discussion, encourage continuous reflection, and increase transparency by visibly tracking contributions. The Gallery Walk represents a promising and adaptable format for participatory, transdisciplinary health research when supported by intentional design, inclusive facilitation, and rigorous reporting. People with dementia, their families, and health professionals all offer invaluable insights into improving care. However, it can be challenging for these groups to collaborate on equal terms in research. This study explored a creative workshop approach known as the “Gallery Walk”. In this method, participants move around different stations in a room, where ideas and questions are displayed for discussion and written contributions. In our workshop, twenty people—including researchers, practitioners, individuals living with dementia, and family caregivers—exchanged about diversity and social position in dementia care. The Gallery Walk made it easier for everyone to share experiences, learn from each other, and develop practical ideas together. However, some challenges were noted, such as the need for thorough preparation, experienced facilitators, and sufficient time to properly document and analyse the discussions. Overall, the Gallery Walk proved to be a helpful and flexible way to involve people meaningfully in health research, especially when it is thoughtfully planned and led with inclusivity, respect, and clear communication.