Contribution of participatory action research to knowledge mobilization in mental health services for children and families

Problems with knowledge mobilization (KMb) (also known as knowledge translation and implementation science) among providers of children and youth services may be addressed by looking to models of participatory action research (PAR) that are already familiar to those working in community-based services. In contexts such as these, where there is mistrust of traditional sources of expertise, PAR has the potential to provide a way to make it easier for the sharing and adoption of new practices. A case example of an evaluation of a community-based gang prevention program for children aged 9–14 is used to highlight how PAR can enhance program design and implementation based on the sharing of best practices and the active engagement of community members through a research advisory committee. This integration of PAR with KMb, though an imperfect attempt to share practice evidence, provides clues to the methodological techniques required for more participatory development and exchange of promising practices among providers of services for children and youth.