Herding cats and other epic challenges: Creating meaningful stakeholder engagement in community mental health research.

Abstract

Stakeholder-centered approaches, that restrict patient barriers to clinical community mental health research, affect outcomes. It is suggested that a restructuring of clinical research organizational behavior and attitudes may overcome this problem. It is further advocated that consultation with an engagement of study patient stakeholders encourages their interest in the study, and is essential for successful research. This editorial considers the concept of stakeholder participation and management in the clinical research environment. It further offers practical suggestions for fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement.