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Using systematic collaborative reflection to enhance consumer-led mental health research

Introduction Consumer-led and collaborative research is consistent with occupational therapy principles of inclusion and client-centredness, and is increasingly valued in mental health. Our research team of three occupational therapists and three consumers was funded to conduct a consumer-led mental health service evaluation. Because of a lack of previous research to guide our practice, we engaged in a collaborative autoethnography to gather information about the process of consumer-led research. We discovered that the systematic reflective processes of collaborative autoethnography played a critical part in shaping the very experiences being investigated. This article describes the impact of using this systematic collaborative reflection on the process of consumer-led research. Method Data from weekly journal entries and quarterly focus groups were analysed using constant comparative analysis. Codes relating to experiences and impacts of the collaborative autoethnography were extracted for presentation in this article. Findings Our collaborative autoethnography activities provided unique opportunities that developed our shared understanding of consumer-led research in mental health, facilitated a respectful and open group culture and, ultimately, resulted in a more consumer-led research project. Conclusion Occupational therapists striving to include and empower service users in research and evaluation could benefit from adopting systematic collaborative, reflective techniques.