title: [Participation, knowledge production, and evaluative research: participation by different actors in a mental health study].
abstract: This article reflects on the interrelations between participation, knowledge production, and public policy evaluation in light of issues from our own experience with evaluative research on a municipal network of Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPS) in Brazil. The article discusses the coordination of the complex process and the potentials and limits of partnerships for conducting qualitative evaluative studies in mental health with participation by different social actors. The authors conclude that qualitative evaluative research aligned with the perspective of including different points of view representing various segments is the best approach for understanding the numerous spin-offs from the implementation of services linked to the Brazilian psychiatric reform movement, given the inherent specificities of the mental health field.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, Brasil. juarezpfurtado@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Juarez Pereira
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.forename: Rosana Onocko
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Campos
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods; D017144:Focus Groups; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000592:standards; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008332:Management Quality Circles / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration