Optimism, ambivalence, and opportunities: staff perspectives signaling a critical turn in patient-oriented research in forensic mental health care settings

This qualitative descriptive study examines the views of 25 clinicians, clinical leaders, and senior hospital leaders about forensic patient-oriented research (POR) practices and the inclusion of patients as research partners in forensic mental health care environments. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis to pinpoint predominant themes. Perspectives on forensic POR materialized across three attitudinal domains: optimism, ambivalence, and opportunities. Findings underscore positive overtures toward including patient voices in research and consensual support for forensic POR, despite obvious structural and organizational barriers, power inequities, risks of tokenism, and epistemic concerns inherent in forensic settings. Many agreed that this ‘shiny new object’ is worth exploring, despite still being an emerging approach in secure environments. We discuss how the findings align with current literature about staff perspectives on participatory research and more critical approaches in Critical Disability and Mad Studies and conclude with recommendations for future research.