Spreading the word : disseminating research results to patients and carers

The dissemination of information to an audience is a vital component of research. The purpose of dissemination is to spread knowledge and, perhaps to a lesser extent, foster related research activities. In this paper, the focus will be on the distribution of information about mental illness and associated evidence-based treatments to patients and carers. As the above quotation suggests, many researchers are frustrated by the end products of their research – their research findings – not reaching interested audiences, and this audience should include patients and carers, as well as service providers and governing bodies. It is easy to imagine that patients involved in research may be particularly annoyed by a lack of feedback about the research in which they participate