Framing Service User Involvement in Mental Health: A Qualitative Review

Partnering with patients and family caregivers (commonly referred to as patient partnership) is increasingly common in health services, research, education, and policy. In the field of mental health, service user involvement intersects with distinct historical trajectories and as such, may take on unique forms. This review draws on a broader systematic review of literature on patient partnership. We ask: How does literature on patient partnership in mental health and addictions describe the history of service user involvement and the roles of service users? Two broad frames for service user involvement are identified, which offer contrasting perspectives about the history, value, and power relations involved in service user involvement. Future research can consider implications of these perspectives, and opportunities for synthesis.