Linkage and exchange at the organizational level: a model of collaboration between research and policy.
This paper describes an organization-level initiative designed to promote linkage and exchange between a research unit and the mental health policy branch of Ontario's provincial government. Using a framework that conceptualizes four tiers--inter-organizational relationship, interactive research projects, dissemination and policy formation--in the application of linkage and exchange to the research and policy development processes, we present an example in order to explore the issues that arise in each tier. We conclude that while such initiatives enhance the relevance of research in the policy development process, they also present challenges that must be recognized and managed.
Goering
Paula
P
Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Butterill
Dale
D
Jacobson
Nora
N
Sturtevant
Darryl
D
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009864:Ontario