How best to engage users of forensic services in research: literature review and recommendations

V�llm, Birgit; Foster, Sheena; Bates, Peter; Huband, Nick

Abstract

Guidance on service user involvement is available to help researchers working with people with mental health problems, but there is currently no comprehensive guidance relating to forensic settings where additional issues arise. This rapid review aims to summarise the currently available information on how best to engage users of forensic mental health services in the research process, and to make appropriate recommendations. Medline and five other databases were searched to May 2016 using relevant keywords and Medical Subject Headings, supplemented by a general Internet search. Eleven peer-reviewed journal papers and 12 reports or web-based documents were identified, the majority containing information derived using a qualitative methodology.
Five areas of particular relevance to forensic settings were identified: power relations & vulnerability issues (including ethical treatment; informed consent; attitudes of staff and other service users; support), practical difficulties (including ‘consultation fatigue’; tokenistic inclusion; tensions over security and risk management; access; payment; co-authoring); confidentiality and transparency; language and communication and training issues. Recommendations on engaging service users in forensic mental health research are presented.

Citation

Völlm, B., Foster, S., Bates, P., & Huband, N. (in press). How best to engage users of forensic services in research: literature review and recommendations. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2016.1255282

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 12, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jan 4, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 1, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 4, 2017
• Journal: International Journal of Forensic Mental Health
• Print ISSN: 1499-9013
• Electronic ISSN: 1932-9903
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14999013.2016.1255282
• Keywords: Forensic mental health, collaborative research, service user involvement, user-led research, participatory research
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/842087
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14999013.2016.1255282
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Forensic Mental Health on 04 Jan 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14999013.2016.1255282