It is common knowledge In the Nordic countries, that user involvement is hailed as part of a larger societal development for democratizing and improving social work practices as well as challenging the history of paternalism against people in need of mental health services. The reasons for user-involving practices are abundant; it corresponds to democratic ideals, for redistributing power in professional relations, making welfare services more efficient, and making professional relations more reciprocal, etc. However, less is known about ways in which to implement inclusive practices and how to assess and value the effects and outcomes of different programs and initiatives with user-involving ambitions.
This presentation provides fresh findings on these issues in the Nordic countries, drawing from empirical findings in a compilation of knowledge (published in 2022) and a meta-analysis (published in 2023). In detail, the presentation provides answers to Nordic experiences of a) methods used to study user involvement, b) effects and outcomes of user-involving strategies, and c) how they relate to the overarching ambitions of high-quality services in mental health organizations in the Nordic countries. The presentation also provides important insights into factors that differentiate positive/promoting and negative/restrictive user experiences of participation, involvement, and prerequisites for being seen as an epistemic citizen. Finally, the presentation suggests different ways in which these results are important to acknowledge for further empirical research and development of user involvement in the Nordic countries.