Research priorities in mental health, Part 2: an evaluationof the current research effort against stakeholders' priorities.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the current distribution of mental health research in Australia and compare this with the priorities of various stakeholder groups.


METHODS
A content analysis was carried out on a year's worth of published articles and a year's worth of competitive research grants. A questionnaire for stakeholders was developed in which respondents were asked to rate priorities for research using the same categories. Questionnaires were sent to mental health researchers,members of panels that evaluate mental health research grant applications,general practitioners, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, mental health consumer and carer advocates, and members of the National Mental Health Working Group.


RESULTS
Different groups of stakeholders tended to have differing perspectives on research priorities, with some major differences between committees that evaluate research grants and consumer and carer groups. Different stakeholder groups also tended to obtain their information about research from different sources. However, there were also a number of areas of agreement. When different research topics are considered,the following tended to be under-researched: affective disorders,suicide, primary care and community settings, prevention and promotion,evaluation of services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,and socially and economically disadvantaged people.


CONCLUSIONS
It is of concern that committees that evaluate research are guided by different values from consumers and carers in setting priorities. Nevertheless, there is consensus across stakeholder groups that a number of areas should be a high priority.
Griffiths
Kathleen M
KM
Centre for Mental Health Research, Australian National University, Australia.
Jorm
Anthony F
AF
Christensen
Helen
H
Medway
Jo
J
Dear
Keith B G
KB
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics*; D008603:Mental Health; D012106:Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples