Keys to unlocking service provider engagement in constrained co-production partnerships

The article reports on research conducted in a public, specialised mental health and substance abuse service unit in Norway. The inquiry followed an action research framework, with patients, leaders and staff as co-researchers. Power sharing within such constrained institutions suggests that service providers risk engaging in paternalistic or avoidance approaches. Despite the inherent challenges of attempting a participative approach on an equal footing, facilitating service co-production may be served by mediation and support. Here, developing meeting spaces for dialogue between patients, staff and leaders appears vital. We argue that focussing on service providers’ own professional development may be benefiting to co-production. We propose steps to unlock the potential of genuine co-production partnerships in constrained organisational settings when staff and leaders have no prior experience involving patients systematically in service development.