Successful collaborations improve the health and quality of life of consumers and their carers.
Collaborations can develop and make available information and educational resources. They can raise awareness of health conditions and related issues, and health consumer organisations and pharmaceutical companies can share skills with each other. In addition, collaboration can increase a pharmaceutical company’s understanding of consumers’ needs and a health consumer organisation’s awareness of the health and treatment options available.
Collaboration is usually more successful when each partner is clear about what it wants to achieve by working together, and when each partner works hard at understanding how the other operates.
Mental Health Australia using the Guide in public discussion about collaborative relationships