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Research–Practice Partnership in Mental Health: Lessons from Participants

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Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite pervasive calls for increased collaboration between researchers and practitioners, there has been limited research on research–practice partnership in mental health. This qualitative study describes one research–practice partnership that supports a study of community-based psychotherapy for children and families. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all 12 participants (six Researchers and six Practitioners) to elicit perceptions of the collaborative process, including (a) attitudes and experiences entering into the collaboration, (b) perceived challenges and benefits, and (c) suggestions for improvements in future efforts. The findings reinforce the central role of communication and trust-building in developing effective collaborations and exchanging knowledge.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grant # R01-MH-66070 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The authors the twelve participants and Katherine Tsai for their contributions to this study. Portions of this study were presented at the N.I.M.H. Services Research Conference, Bethesda, MD., July, 2005.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92123, USA

    Ann F. Garland

  2. Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, 3020 Children’s Way (MC 5033), San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Ann F. Garland & Dena Plemmons

  3. Research Ethics Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Dena Plemmons

  4. MFT Program, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Leita Koontz

Authors
  1. Ann F. Garland
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  2. Dena Plemmons
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  3. Leita Koontz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ann F. Garland.

Additional information

Portions of this study were presented at the N.I.M.H. Services Research Conference, Bethesda, MD., July, 2005.

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Garland, A.F., Plemmons, D. & Koontz, L. Research–Practice Partnership in Mental Health: Lessons from Participants. Adm Policy Ment Health 33, 517–528 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-006-0062-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-006-0062-2

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