An integrative evidence review on service user participation in the design and delivery of drug treatment, recovery and harm reduction services

This study aims to provide an overview of what user involvement entails within the context of drug treatment services in Ireland. The objective of the study is to provide policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and service users with a clearer understanding of the challenges associated with user involvement, a fundamental paradigm or principle when seeking to develop more effective and satisfactory services. The study involved a lengthy and complex series of research tasks, including an extensive literature search, a service user consultation and discussions with a number of stakeholders. Julie Glanville was responsible for designing the literature search, Feline Engling Cardoso coordinated the stakeholder interviews and Jonathan Pratschke carried out the service user consultation, as well as analysing the interview transcripts and supervising the study. Brian Galvin from the Health Research Board provided oversight and guidance, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland provided ethical approval for the service user consultation.