Managing effective participatory research partnerships.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the partnership science subcommittee's collective discussions and reactions to tools and strategies was to promote and support effective management of organizational-based, participatory research (OBPR) partnerships.

RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

Research partnerships are broadly defined to include interorganizational relationships where resources are shared to advance a collective purpose-in this case, applied, participatory research. Several major funding agencies have recognized their role in supporting research partnerships and have used a "push" strategy via earmarked funds for such activities. OPBR partnerships made possible through support can engage multiple entities to enhance the generalizability and potential for modeling and spread of findings.

THE PARTNERSHIP STRENGTH SURVEY

Effective management of the research partnership should stimulate collaborative problem solving based on organizational priorities for shared learning and spread of research results. Current surveys were drawn on to create a participant survey for continuously improving and monitoring partnership strength and synergy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The in-depth exploration of participatory research is intended to move health system-based staff from a passive to an active role in the research process and to encourage executives to support and encourage research participation.