Research and Services Partnerships: The Practice Research Network: A Successful Collaboration in Maryland

Abstract

The Practice Research Network (PRN) in Maryland is a Interventions and Practice Research Infrastructure Support Project supported by NIMH that extends the historically close collaborative relationship between the University of Maryland Department of Psychiatry and the State Mental Hygiene Administration. This project focuses on the relationship between University-based investigators and participants in the Public Mental Health System using the local mental health authorities which are known as Core Service Agencies as the point of contact. Project staff serve as liaisons among the various components of the system. The PRN has succeeded in identifying a broader range of research subjects by establishing contacts with provider agencies and stakeholder groups. It has also focused on addressing some of the myths and fears about research by meeting with consumer and family groups and by arranging for investigators to present their research projects to stakeholders. This approach to developing a statewide network in support of mental health research can serve as a model for other state and university partnerships.

Perspectives on Recruitment and Representativeness in Forensic Psychiatric Research

“…Studies evaluating the effectiveness of recruitment practices are scarce (14,15). The suggestions below are based on published articles that detail successful strategies for participant recruitment (49), identify barriers to recruitment (9,11,12,15), and on a review of recruitment strategies (14). Close collaboration between researchers and clinics has been described as promising (11,15).…”

“…Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Sundeen et al (49) reported on a model that may serve as an example. The model incorporated regular meetings between clinics and researchers as well as designated research liaisons at the clinics.…”

The Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System: A culturally informed community–academic collaboration.

“…Shared awareness at the local, regional, and state level led to a joint effort among behavioral health providers, key personnel from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services 3 (DMHAS), the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), state legislators, and the Yale University Department of Psychiatry to request funds from the State General Assembly to implement systemic strategies that would ultimately reduce short-term, ineffective alternatives to care, and increase the availability of long-term, responsible, and cost-effective solutions. Examples of this type of statewide collaboration have proven successful (Sundeen, Goldman, Nieberding, Piez, & Buchanan, 2013; Wells et al, 2006) in their ability to pool resources and achieve a common goal.…”

The Role of Academic Psychiatry in Leading Health Policy Reform

“…All this innovation is being spurred and supported by the development of centers for practice innovation in states such as Maryland and New York [24]. This work is being informed by greater recognition of the assets and resources that communities can provide the treatment and support of the mentally ill through authentic engagement with community-based leaders and organizations, as exemplified by the work of Ken Wells and his colleagues at UCLA [25].…”