Knowledge Exchange
In September 2008, Te Pou launched the newly developed online resource for the sector, the Knowledge Exchange. This web resource was created in response to the feedback received at Te Pou's nationwide forums in 2007. Many people said if there was one way in which Te Pou could contribute, it would be to provide a central point for mental health research and to create a link to the research community so that people working in the sector know who is doing what and who funds what. They also wanted resources that can support them to use information and embed research and evaluation based approaches to their planning and delivery of mental health and addiction services.
The Knowledge Exchange comprises of four components.
- Database of New Zealand mental health research
- Stories of change
- Funding library
- Tools for learning
Database of New Zealand mental health research
The database enables the mental health sector to easily access and search details of mental health and addiction research projects (completed, current or ongoing). Researchers can promote their work on this site by uploading their projects.
Stories of change
This web-based resource presents an ongoing series of exciting and inspirational stories about mental health and addiction services, by:
- showcasing grass root development initiatives responding to changing needs
- encouraging sector-wide sharing and collaboration
- presenting key learnings
- drawing attention to the integral role evaluation and research plays in service and workforce development for quality improvement and best outcomes.
National and regional service development initiatives will be profiled either as downloadable stories with factsheets or as audio and video presentations to create an online library.
Funding library
The funding library provides information on potential sources of funding that support research, evaluation, pilot programmes and service development. The listing and links helps those in the sector wishing to produce their own research by directing them to relevant websites and useful papers.
The library will be reviewed monthly and new sources added, if identified.
Tools for learning
This section aims to support the sector to embed evaluation and research in their service development and delivery. We promote the idea that "research and evaluation is everybody's business".
Te Pou has developed an inventory of tools and links for self-directed learning on topics such as:
- research and evaluation
- organisational learning and implementing change
- innovation
- writing proposals
- clinical practice and evidence
These tools include downloadable guidelines, templates, reports, publications of interest and links to useful national and international resources. The tools will support, promote and enable organisational learning, research and evaluation among service leaders and their teams.
In addition, links are presented to relevant national and international websites which include searchable databases focusing on mental health, bibliographies and research and evaluation networks.
Current activities
One of our most recent stories is Creating alternatives. It outlines the use of sensory modulation as a de-escalation tool in four DHB inpatient units to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint.
Te Pou invites researchers to promote their research on the database of New Zealand mental health research. The database is an open access, easy-to-use, web-based resource on the Knowledge Exchange. Research projects which have been published, unpublished or currently in progress can be submitted online or by contacting the Knowledge Exchange administrator.
An internal Te Pou working group has been established with the aim to link other Te Pou projects and resources more efficiently with the Knowledge Exchange with the end goal of improving the searchability of all resources on the Te Pou website.
The content review group meets regularly to provide input into the further development of the resource, particularly the tools for learning section. Group members are:
- Anita Langthaller, Te Pou
- Professor Brian McAvoy, Waitemata District Health Board
- Claire Moore, Counties Manukau District Health Board
- David Bradley, Te Pou
- Debbie Tohill, The Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Kaye Carncross, Mental Health Commission
- Heather Barnett, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
- Monika Divis, Spectrum Care
- Suzanne Kerruish, Counties Manukau District Health Board
For more information
Contact Anita Langthaller
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Page last updated: 22 June 2010