Abstract
We examined community mental health center staff perceptions of ongoing research within their agency. We interviewed upper
management and conducted focus groups with medical staff, non-medical clinicians, and administrative staff. Participants were
asked about (1) their attitudes towards research in general, agency research and towards the principal academic institution
doing research with clients, (2) their perceptions of the value of research and (3) ideas for improving the collaboration.
We identified 5 overarching themes: inter-agency communication, shared goals and equality in research, researchers adding
knowledge to the agency, improving attitudes toward research, and agency involvement in research. Under these domains, specific
suggestions are made for how to improve the collaboration across all stakeholder groups. Lack of shared values and inadequate
communication processes can negatively impact community-based research collaborations. However, clear strategies, and adequate
resources have great potential to improve community mental health collaborations.
management and conducted focus groups with medical staff, non-medical clinicians, and administrative staff. Participants were
asked about (1) their attitudes towards research in general, agency research and towards the principal academic institution
doing research with clients, (2) their perceptions of the value of research and (3) ideas for improving the collaboration.
We identified 5 overarching themes: inter-agency communication, shared goals and equality in research, researchers adding
knowledge to the agency, improving attitudes toward research, and agency involvement in research. Under these domains, specific
suggestions are made for how to improve the collaboration across all stakeholder groups. Lack of shared values and inadequate
communication processes can negatively impact community-based research collaborations. However, clear strategies, and adequate
resources have great potential to improve community mental health collaborations.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-011-9397-6
- Authors
- Jodi M. Gonzalez, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Dharma E. Cortés, Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA USA
- Tamara Reeves, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK USA
- Rob Whitley, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada
- Linda Lopez, Center for Health Care Services, San Antonio, TX USA
- Gary R. Bond, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH USA
- Dawn I. Velligan, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Alexander L. Miller, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853