Table 2 Strategies to consider when implementing CBPR in BD research

Some types of conclusions and statements may be distressing for those with lived experience

Consider in advance how to include information about protective factors in research designs; consider language in describing findings carefully; give advance warning to consumers about findings that might be on difficult topics, allowing choice about participation; consider whether findings are being presented in the most compassionate manner; plan for ongoing supervision to review and support individual’s response to difficult material

Those with BD may go through symptomatic periods that interfere with productivity

Plan in advance for back-up and recovery time; consider working with teams of individuals rather than relying on a single person

Symptoms may emerge in a way that interfere with privacy or work flow

Develop an understanding in advance of how symptoms will be discussed and managed if they are apparent in the workplace

Some with lived experience may have less scientific background than other team members

Invest in training team members to understand the research process

Develop an understanding of key and valued roles that can be well-managed by those with less scientific background

Some with lived experience may have government benefits that be will be jeopardized if they work more than a certain number of hours, and others may prefer to maintain flexible hours

Discuss levels of commitment and constancy in advance, and use this knowledge to plan work roles that will not suffer from part-time or varied time involvement

Organizations may not value lived experience as well as they do scientific experience, leading to the potential for inequality in promotions and career advancement over time

Team leaders need to work at a systematic level to change organizational barriers