Practice-near practitioner research

Abstract

There is arguably great benefit for mental health professionals engaging in the production of research evidence. One method for gaining new knowledge and learning is for professionals to engage in ‘practice-near’ research. This term denotes research methodologies that share the objectives of getting close to professional practice in the helping professions, and fostering ‘research mindedness’ among professionals. The idea of being practice-near in research primarily developed within the field of social work and social care, but is also relevant to mental health nursing, especially research projects undertaken by practising nurses. However, further consideration is needed about how this idea can be brought into closer contact with other types of practitioner research.