The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46163

Paula N. Goering, RN, PhD¹, Janet Durbin, MSc², Dianne Macfarlane, MA², and Dale Butterill, MSW, MPA¹. (1) Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada, (416) 979-6844, paula_goering@camh.net, (2) Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada

To prepare for restructuring of psychiatric hospitals, needs-based planning projects were conducted in six psychiatric hospitals in the province of Ontario. The goal was to identify the services and supports that would help patients maximize independence and quality of life. Current evidence about best practices was incorporated into level of care recommendations for each patient based on assessed need. This paper focuses on project activity related to linking the production and utilization of research knowledge. Another paper reviews the project method and results. Project results reinforced the feasibility of mental health reform, challenged the definition of a tertiary bed, and supported more independent living for many current inpatients and those in residential care. These messages had the potential to threaten stakeholders invested in the status quo, especially clinicians and family members. In these government-mandated projects the research team also needed to manage resistance related to an externally imposed obligation. Several strategies were used to gain cooperation and trust, and foster utilization. These included close collaboration with the sites; participation of stakeholders throughout the research development process; and the inclusion of consumer preference surveys. Use of these methods paved the way for rich, relevant results and stakeholder investment in their applicability. System implementation task forces across the province have relied heavily upon the project findings to inform their decisions and a baseline assessment for evaluating reform efforts has been created.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Recognize reasons underlying the failure of knowledge transfer as it applies to mental health policy and practice.
• 2.Identify strategies available to researchers for increasing knowledge utilization by healthcare decision-makers, planners.

Keywords: Mental Health, Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.