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When Researchers Work For Their Subjects: A Model Of Collaboration For Researchers Studying Consumer Directed Services And Organizations

Rich Beaulaurier
School of Social Work
Florida International University
11200 SW 8 St., ECS 460
Miami FL 33199
305-348-5876
FAX: 801-838-4117
renzbeau@fiu.edu

Consumer operated service providers (COSPs) are often founded as a reaction against more traditional service providers. Social workers are among the professionals whom they often perceive to be more interested in doing things to rather than with them.

A unique study funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded a contract to a COSP to conduct major study of mental health services. This center was, staffed entirely by people who have been treated for severe and persistent mental illness. The contract called for subcontracts with university researchers, and research partnerships with traditional mental health providers and professionals in their area.

Problems began to emerge almost immediately in the working alliance. Several “landmines” emerged related to the differing orientations of researchers, professionals and COSP staff. These orientations related to six concepts in particular: (1) research bias, (2) control of research and service activities, (3) fidelity to the treatment model, (4) the legitimacy of expertise, (5) theoretical underpinnings of the service provided, and (6) what were constituted positive outcomes of services.

“Landmines” were (a) generally invisible to researchers and consumers until trod upon and (b) often caused considerable, sometimes irreparable, damage once detonated. Over time, however, both researchers and researchers gained considerable insight into the nature of these pitfalls and how to avoid them. This paper, which is itself a collaborative effort between COSP staff and university researchers will present a model of collaboration designed to maximize the effectiveness of researchers working for, and on behalf of, consumer directed programs. Examples of how problems came about, and how they were eventually resolved will be examined. The resulting model is based on a collaborative approach aimed at aiding researchers in developing more productive and beneficial partnerships and working arrangements with consumer run and directed organizations and programs.

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