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Wykes T, Bell A, Carr S, Coldham T, Gilbody S, Hotopf M, Johnson S, Kabir T, Pinfold V, Sweeney A, Jones PB, Creswell C. Shared goals for mental health research: what, why and when for the 2020s. J Ment Health 2023; 32:997-1005. [PMID: 33966543 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2021.1898552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Mental health problems bring substantial individual, community and societal costs and the need for innovation to promote good mental health and to prevent and treat mental health problems has never been greater. However, we know that research findings can take up to 20 years to implement. One way to push the pace is to focus researchers and funders on shared, specific goals and targets. We describe a consultation process organised by the Department of Health and Social Care and convened by the Chief Medical Officer to consider high level goals for future research efforts and to begin to identify UK-specific targets to measure research impact. The process took account of new scientific methods and evidence, the UK context with a universal health care system (the NHS) and the embedded research support from the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network, as well as the views of individual service users and service user organisations. The result of the consultation is a set of four overarching goals with the potential to be measured at intervals of three, five or ten years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Til Wykes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andy Bell
- Centre for Mental Health, London, UK
| | - Sarah Carr
- School of Social Policy/Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tina Coldham
- Participation, Involvement and Engagement Advisor to the NIHR Centre for Engagement and Dissemination, London, UK
| | - Simon Gilbody
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sonia Johnson
- NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit, Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
| | | | | | - Angela Sweeney
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cathy Creswell
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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2
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Deering K, Brimblecombe N, Matonhodze JC, Nolan F, Collins DA, Renwick L. Methodological procedures for priority setting mental health research: a systematic review summarising the methods, designs and frameworks involved with priority setting. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:64. [PMID: 37365647 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research priority setting aims to identify research gaps within particular health fields. Given the global burden of mental illness and underfunding of mental health research compared to other health topics, knowledge of methodological procedures may raise the quality of priority setting to identify research with value and impact. However, to date there has been no comprehensive review on the approaches adopted with priority setting projects that identify mental health research, despite viewed as essential knowledge to address research gaps. Hence, the paper presents a summary of the methods, designs, and existing frameworks that can be adopted for prioritising mental health research to inform future prioritising projects. METHOD A systematic review of electronic databases located prioritisation literature, while a critical interpretive synthesis was adopted whereby the appraisal of methodological procedures was integrated into the synthesis of the findings. The synthesis was shaped using the good practice checklist for priority setting by Viergever and colleagues drawing on their following categories to identify and appraise methodological procedures: (1) Comprehensive Approach-frameworks/designs guiding the entire priority setting; (2) Inclusiveness -participation methods to aid the equal contribution of stakeholders; (3) Information Gathering-data collecting methods to identify research gaps, and (4) Deciding Priorities-methods to finalise priorities. RESULTS In total 903 papers were located with 889 papers removed as either duplicates or not meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 14 papers were identified, describing 13 separate priority setting projects. Participatory approaches were the dominant method adopted but existing prioritisation frameworks were modified with little explanation regarding the rationale, processes for adaptation and theoretical foundation. Processes were predominately researcher led, although with some patient involvement. Surveys and consensus building methods gathered information while ranking systems and thematic analysis tend to generate finalised priorities. However, limited evidence found about transforming priorities into actual research projects and few described plans for implementation to promote translation into user-informed research. CONCLUSION Prioritisation projects may benefit from justifying the methodological approaches taken to identify mental health research, stating reasons for adapting frameworks alongside reasons for adopting particular methods, while finalised priorities should be worded in such a way as to facilitate their easy translation into research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Deering
- University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, 79 Heavitree Rd, Exeter, EX1 2LT, United Kingdom.
| | - Neil Brimblecombe
- London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Jane C Matonhodze
- University of Greenwich, Avery Hill Campus, Southwood Site, Avery Hill Road, London, SE9 2UG, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Nolan
- Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford Campus Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela A Collins
- London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Laoise Renwick
- The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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Gual-Montolio P, Suso-Ribera C, García-Palacios A, Castilla D, Zaragoza I, Bretón-López J. Enhancing Internet-based psychotherapy for adults with emotional disorders using ecological momentary assessments and interventions: Study protocol of a feasibility trial with "My EMI, Emotional Well-being" app. Internet Interv 2023; 31:100601. [PMID: 36686334 PMCID: PMC9852876 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2023.100601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emotional disorders are the most frequent mental health problems globally. To ensure the dissemination of psychological treatments for these conditions, novel forms of delivery (e.g., Internet or mobile apps) and more scalable forms of psychotherapy (e.g., transdiagnostic interventions) have become increasingly popular. Research, however, shows that a significant number of patients, around 40 % according to some studies, do not respond to the interventions as expected (i.e., not-on-track patients). Ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) and ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) could simplify tailoring treatments to the patients' progress and rapidly respond to undesired outcomes during psychotherapy. Therefore, these would facilitate measurement-based care with little therapist involvement. This study aims to explore the feasibility of an app-based system called My EMI, Emotional Well-being for people with emotional disorders. According to daily EMAs, the app will provide personalized EMIs while participants receive a self-applied online transdiagnostic treatment. The app will be used as an add-tool to the online intervention to address emotion dysregulation, foster adherence, and reinforce contents. The current study describes the study protocol for this trial. METHOD AND ANALYSIS A single-group, open trial design will be used. Participants will be 30 adults suffering from emotional disorders. Primary outcomes will be app usability, acceptability, and response rates. Secondary outcomes will be either evaluated in Qualtrics at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up (depression and anxiety severity, and transdiagnostic dimensions of emotional disorders) or daily throughout the study with the app (EMAs of mood and five transdiagnostic mechanisms of therapeutic change). EMIs will consist of brief, evidence-based transdiagnostic CBT digital content (images, infographics, or videos) delivered just-in-time. Only if problems persist, short phone calls or episodic videocalls will be conducted. The Ethics Committee of the Jaume I University approved the study and all its procedures (CD/111/2021) in December 2021. DISCUSSION Identifying personalized and scalable interventions is paramount to improve mental health care, especially its accessibility, and to reduce the psychological distress of people with mental health problems. Feasibility data of the app (EMA and EMI system) supported by a self-applied online transdiagnostic intervention will be important to explore whether this modern approach is a real option to move forward personalized psychological interventions for persons with emotional disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05109780. Registered 05 November 2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05109780.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Gual-Montolio
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Avda. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellon de la Plana, Spain
| | - Carlos Suso-Ribera
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Avda. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellon de la Plana, Spain,CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Corresponding author at: Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Avda. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellon de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Azucena García-Palacios
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Avda. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellon de la Plana, Spain,CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Diana Castilla
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain,CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Zaragoza
- Department of Personality, Assessment, and Psychological Treatments, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain,CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana Bretón-López
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Avda. Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castellon de la Plana, Spain,CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Garrido‐Hernansaiz H. The use of online social media for the recruitment of people living with HIV in Spain and Latin America: Lessons from two studies. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e4065-e4073. [PMID: 35318765 PMCID: PMC10078670 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Various barriers make recruiting a difficult task for researchers, especially when recruiting people living with HIV (PLWH) or conducting longitudinal studies. Effective recruitment is crucial to the validity of studies, and in this regard, social media can come to aid, although researchers usually rely on paid advertisements. This paper describes the free social media strategies used for participant recruitment in two studies carried out with PLWH in Spain and Latin America. Study 1 was a cross-sectional study on the validation of two stigma scales with a 1-month retest. Study 2 was a longitudinal study exploring the mental health of newly diagnosed PLWH, with a second assessment after 6 months. Facebook posts, Twitter mentions, and discussion forums were used in both studies. Study 2 also recruited participants through a healthcare centre. In Study 1, 5-month recruitment yielded a sample of 458 PLWH, averaging 91.6 surveys/month and a 43% retention rate. In study 2, recruitment took 16 months, yielding a final sample of 145 newly diagnosed PLWH, 92 from the healthcare centre (5.75 surveys/month) and 53 from social media (3.31 surveys/month), with 95% and 60% retention rates, respectively. Participants in Study 2 did not differ in sociodemographic characteristics by recruitment method, except for the region of origin and financial difficulty (more diverse origin and greater difficulty emerged in social media participants). Greater psychological distress and lower personal and social resources were also found in social media participants. These data indicate that free social media recruitment is a feasible and effective tool for the recruitment of Spanish-speaking PLWH, although it is best used in combination with traditional methods for newly diagnosed PLWH and longitudinal studies.
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Ehring T, Limburg K, Kunze AE, Wittekind CE, Werner GG, Wolkenstein L, Guzey M, Cludius B. (When and how) does basic research in clinical psychology lead to more effective psychological treatment for mental disorders? Clin Psychol Rev 2022; 95:102163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Revet A, Moulis G, Raynaud JP, Bui E, Lapeyre-Mestre M. Use of the French national health insurance information system for research in the field of mental health: Systematic review and perspectives. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2021; 36:16-34. [PMID: 33998708 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This systematic review registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021225296) aimed to describe the use of the French national health insurance information system, which covers the entire French population (67 million inhabitants), for research in the field of mental health. METHODS Three electronic databases and a journal hand-search identified 15 265 articles from January 1, 2003 (year of creation of the database) to October 31, 2020. Studies of any design were eligible for inclusion provided that they (i) made use of at least one component of the French health insurance database and (ii) focused on a topic in near and far connection with the field of mental health in France. Database used, design and methods, study period, population, key findings, and type of use for medical research were described. RESULTS A total of 152 studies were included in the review analysis. There was an increase in the number of published articles over time throughout the studied period. Studies focusing on adults (n = 139) largely outnumbered those focusing on children and adolescents (n = 11). Pharmacoepidemiological studies were by far the most frequent (n = 123), followed by methodological studies (n = 23), epidemiological studies (n = 17), and health economics studies (n = 3). The most studied psychotropic drugs were antidepressants (n = 27), anxiolytics (n = 27), and opioids (n = 25) while fewer studies focused on methylphenidate (n = 6) and on mood stabilizers (n = 5). Few studies specifically focused on psychiatric disorders, mainly depression (n = 4), suicide (n = 4), and psychotic disorders (n = 3). CONCLUSION This systematic review highlighted a relatively poor exploitation of the Système national des données de santé database in the field of psychiatric research with regard to the great possibilities it offers, with a clear lag in certain fields such as epidemiological or health economics studies and in specific populations, in particular children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Revet
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,CERPOP, Inserm, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,CIC 1436, Team PEPSS "Pharmacologie En Population cohorteS et biobanqueS", Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Guillaume Moulis
- CIC 1436, Team PEPSS "Pharmacologie En Population cohorteS et biobanqueS", Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France.,Service de Médecine Interne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Raynaud
- Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,CERPOP, Inserm, UPS, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Eric Bui
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Caen University Hospital, University of Caen Normandy, Caen, France
| | - Maryse Lapeyre-Mestre
- CIC 1436, Team PEPSS "Pharmacologie En Population cohorteS et biobanqueS", Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France
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Woelbert E, Lundell-Smith K, White R, Kemmer D. Accounting for mental health research funding: developing a quantitative baseline of global investments. Lancet Psychiatry 2021; 8:250-258. [PMID: 33242400 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
High-quality data on funding for mental health research are essential to mapping funding levels, identifying gaps in the funding landscape, and tracking the impact of research funding. To date, quantitative analyses of research funding in mental health have been restricted in scope. In this Health Policy paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of grant funding for mental health research as a starting point for discussion among stakeholders globally. We drew on a major international research database and used existing definitions and automated classification tools for mental health research. Our analysis shows a flat and stable trend over the years 2015-19 and highly unequal geographical distribution of funding, and reveals patterns of funding across different conditions and across the research spectrum. Improvements in data availability and quality, in the definitions delineating mental health research from other areas, and in automated classification tools are needed to ensure funders and policy makers can fully rely on the data and generate bespoke analyses as needed. We argue that collaborative reporting of funding for mental health research globally could help to inform and evaluate efforts to increase investments, to improve strategic dialogue, and to achieve the best possible allocation of finite resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kierstin Lundell-Smith
- Graham Boeckh Foundation, Montreal, Canada; International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders, Montreal, Canada
| | - Rory White
- International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders, Montreal, Canada
| | - Danielle Kemmer
- Graham Boeckh Foundation, Montreal, Canada; International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders, Montreal, Canada.
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Chung Y, Bagheri N, Salinas-Perez JA, Smurthwaite K, Walsh E, Furst M, Rosenberg S, Salvador-Carulla L. Role of visual analytics in supporting mental healthcare systems research and policy: A systematic scoping review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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The new Horizon Europe programme 2021–2028: Should the gap between the burden of mental disorders and the funding of mental health research be filled? EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpsy.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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10
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Hazo JB, Brunn M, Wykes T, McDaid D, Dorsey M, Demotes-Mainard J, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, Wahlbeck K, Knappe S, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Obradors-Tarragó C, Haro JM, Leboyer M, Chevreul K. European mental health research resources: Picture and recommendations of the ROAMER project. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:179-194. [PMID: 30579654 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.11.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
As part of the Roamer project, we sought to have a picture of the available mental health research (MHR) funding, capacity-building and infrastructures resources and to establish consensus-based recommendations that would allow an increase of European MHR resources and enable better use and accessibility to them. The methods fell into three sections (i) a review of the literature, (ii) a mental health-related keywords search within the Cordis®, On-Course® and Meril® databases which contain information on European research funding, training and infrastructures. These reviews provided an overview that was presented to (iii) two experts workshops with 28 participants drawn from academic which identified gaps and produced recommendations. The literature review illustrates the debates in the scientific community on funding, training and infrastructures. The database searches estimated the fraction of health research resources available for mental health. Eight overarching goals for MHR resources were identified by the workshops; each of them was carried out with several practical recommendations. Resources for MHR are scarce considering the burden of mental disorders, the high rate of return of MHR and the under-investment of the field. The recommendations are urgently warranted to increase resources and their optimal access and use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Baptiste Hazo
- ECEVE, UMRS 1123, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM, Paris, France; AP-HP, URC-Eco, DHU PePSY, F-75 004 Paris, France; Fondation FondaMental, French Scientific Foundation, Créteil, France; World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, CCOMS, Lille 59260, Hellemmes, France.
| | - Matthias Brunn
- ECEVE, UMRS 1123, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM, Paris, France; AP-HP, URC-Eco, DHU PePSY, F-75 004 Paris, France; Fondation FondaMental, French Scientific Foundation, Créteil, France
| | - Til Wykes
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - David McDaid
- PSSRU, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Maya Dorsey
- ECEVE, UMRS 1123, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM, Paris, France; AP-HP, URC-Eco, DHU PePSY, F-75 004 Paris, France; Fondation FondaMental, French Scientific Foundation, Créteil, France
| | | | - Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis
- Department of Health Sciences, MHARG, University of York, York, United Kingdom; Tranzo Department, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | | | - Susanne Knappe
- Institut für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Behaviorale Epidemiologie & Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Longitudinal Studies, Technische Universität Dresden, Chemnitzer Str. 46, 01187 Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Josep Maria Haro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de llobregat, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Fondation FondaMental, French Scientific Foundation, Créteil, France; AP-HP, Department of Psychiatry of Mondor Hospital, DHU PePSY, Paris-Est-Créteil University (UPEC), Créteil, France; INSERM, U955, Translational Psychiatry, Créteil, France
| | - Karine Chevreul
- ECEVE, UMRS 1123, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM, Paris, France; AP-HP, URC-Eco, DHU PePSY, F-75 004 Paris, France
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11
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Increase value and reduce waste in research on psychological therapies. Behav Res Ther 2019; 123:103479. [PMID: 31639527 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2019.103479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A seminal Lancet series focused on increasing value and reducing waste in biomedical research, providing a transferrable template to diagnose problems in research. Our goal was to document how some of these sources of waste apply to mental health and particularly psychological treatments research. We synthesize and critically evaluate empirical findings in relation to four major sources: i) defining research priorities; ii) research design, methods and analysis; iii) accessibility of research information; iv) accuracy and usability of research reports. We demonstrate that each source of waste considered is well-represented and amply documented within this field. We describe hype and insufficient consideration of what is known in defining research priorities, persistent risk of bias, particularly due to selective outcome reporting, for psychotherapy trials across mental disorders, intellectual and financial biases, direct and indirect evidence of publication bias, largely inexistent adoption of data sharing, issues of multiplicity and fragmentation of data and findings, and insufficient adoption of reporting guidelines. We expand on a few general solutions, including supporting meta-research, properly testing interventions to increase research quality, placing open science at the center of psychological treatment research and remaining vigilant particularly regarding the strains of research currently prioritized, such as experimental psychopathology.
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Woelbert E, Kirtley A, Balmer N, Dix S. How much is spent on mental health research: developing a system for categorising grant funding in the UK. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:445-452. [PMID: 30824371 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30033-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Knowing how much money is invested in funding mental health research, and in which areas, is essential to inform strategy and track trends to achieve the best allocation of limited resources. However, no comprehensive categorisation system for mental health research is available and, therefore, national and international data on mental health research funding are minimal and not comparable. In this Health Policy paper, we consider the complexities involved in generating such data and propose an approach to classify mental health research grants. We then describe a method using search terms and algorithms for automatic identification and categorisation of mental health research grants listed in a major international database (Dimensions, Digital Science). The automated approach was validated using manually categorised grants data from funders based in the UK, which showed that the accuracy of this approach is satisfactory and comparable to manual classification. Finally, we consider areas of research that are difficult to classify, and how the automated approach can be refined using machine-learning. We argue that agreed definitions and automated approaches could facilitate collaborative reporting of mental health research funders nationally and internationally and improve the strategic dialogue in this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sophie Dix
- MQ: Transforming Mental Health, London, UK
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