Meeting in the mist: key considerations in a collaborative research partnership with people with mental health issues.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the experiences of an established collaborative research group, which were collected as data to gain research skills. Currently ideas about user involvement and knowledge transfer have not been considered together, indicating possible gaps in knowledge.


METHODS
Eight members of the group took part, including five people using local mental health services, an assistant and an occupational therapist from local services, and an academic.


METHODS
Experiences of collaborative working were explored in phases. Structured individual reflections were recorded and shared for initial analysis. A group discussion prepared for constant comparative analysis, which synthesized the emerging themes.


RESULTS
Participants had gained and shared skills, understanding and knowledge. "Meeting in the mist" was a metaphor to explain the journeys experienced by participants, within a collaborative cycle. This cycle was central to a visual model, "Creating space", which suggested the importance of allowing sufficient time and space to work for a shared vision of the future. A final theme was the "warp factor", which drew on relativity theory to highlight the sense of innovation.


CONCLUSIONS
Collaborative work can be based on knowledge transfer and ideas about user involvement, generating tangible benefits for all involved, including engaging in productive occupations.
Brunel University, London, UK. Wendy.bryant@brunel.ac.uk
Wendy
W
Bryant
Jackie
J
Parsonage
Adrian
A
Tibbs
Christine
C
Andrews
John
J
Clark
Lucia
L
Franco
D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D001523:Mental Disorders; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012106:Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires