title: User and researcher collaborations in mental health in low and middle income countries: a case study of the EMPOWER project.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing recognition has been given to the interaction of users and researchers in shaping the perspective and practice of mental health care. However, there remains very little evidence exploring how this interaction works, particularly in low and middle income countries. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of how users and researchers worked together to communicate research, using a case study of the EMPOWER project.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study followed a case-study approach. EMPOWER was a project that sought to strengthen the capacity of user organizations in India, Kenya, Nepal and Zambia by encouraging user-researcher collaborations to communicate research findings in the four countries. A qualitative research method was applied for this study, with semi-structured interviews conducted with seven people: two researchers, one communications developer, and four user group members (one from each of the four countries). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicated positive perceptions of the collaboration between researchers and users. Key themes were partnership and support, the value of the personal experience of users and their knowledge of the target audiences, and empowerment. Key challenges related to differences in levels of education and technical knowledge and the lack of payments to users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This exploratory study provides insight to help understand collaborative processes for communicating mental health research. It highlights many positive outcomes from the EMPOWER collaboration but also highlights the need for more in-depth research on this issue.
authors.forename: Esha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, Bloomsbury WC1E 7HT, UK. bayard.roberts@lshtm.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Bayard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003906:Developing Countries; D005582:Foundations; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007194:India; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007630:Kenya; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009390:Nepal; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012108:Research Personnel; D015024:Zambia