scholarly journals Consumer participation in mental health services: who wants it and why?

2002 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Tobin ◽  
Luxin Chen ◽  
Colleen Leathley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Consumer Participation ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
The Impact

Contemporary health policy dictates that health services have a demonstrable consumer focus and actively progress the issue of consumer participation in services. Given that costs of such initiatives are not insignificant, there is a responsibility to ensure that the resources are being directed to appropriate means, and are achieving worthwhile results. In examining the impact and effectiveness of consumer participation initiatives in their own Service, the authors undertook a qualitative study exploring the extent and quality of consumer participation following a three-year period of support and funding. Using trained consumers as interviewers, current consumers were asked about their perceptions and personal experience of "participation". Findings identified low familiarity and involvement with the concept of consumer participation overall. Barriers to involvement included lack of motivation or invitation, stigma, and a lack of information. A need to integrate consumer participation activities into the wider system was also noted. The authors conclude that simply devoting energy and resources to consumer initiatives, and thereby achieving a politically correct approach, may not be a worthwhile exercise. Such initiatives need to be based on evidence, available resources and identifiable and achievable outcomes, with a balance struck between endorsing the value of consumer participation and establishing realistic goals for what can be offered and managed.

The National Mental Health Policy: Implications for Public Psychiatric Services in Australia

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey Whiteford ◽  
Bronwyn Macleod ◽  
Elizabeth Leitch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Australian Community ◽  
National Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

The Health Ministers of all Australian States, Territories and the Commonwealth endorsed National Mental Health Policy in April 1992 [1]. This Policy is intended to set clear direction for the future development of mental health services within Australia. The Policy recognises the high prevalence of mental health problems and mental disorders in the Australian community and the impact of these on consumers, carers, families and society as whole. It also clearly accepts the need to address the problems confronting the promotion of mental health and the provision of mental health services.

The Impact of the Organisation of Mental Health Services on the Quality of Assessment Provided to Older Patients with Depression

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 748-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Hickie ◽  
David Burke ◽  
Margaret Tobin ◽  
Carolyn Mutch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Adult Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of the organisation of mental health services on the quality of medical and psychiatric assessment provided to patients with depression over 50 years of age. Method: A retrospective clinical audit of 99 patients with primary depressive disorders who were over 50 years of age was used. These patients were assessed initially by specialised psychogeriatric outpatient and community services (44%), community-based adult mental health services (35%) or an inpatient service (21%). At 2–3 years follow up, clinical outcomes were rated by treating physicians and included current depression status, cognitive and medical status, course of illness since initial assessment and current living circumstances. Results: Patients who were assessed by the community-based adult mental health service received the least comprehensive assessment. Although these patients were more likely to be living independently, they tended to have the poorest depression outcome. Patients who were assessed by the specialised or inpatient services received more comprehensive initial assessment and better coordinated long-term care. Although these patients had more medical and cognitive comorbidity they had better overall depression outcomes. Conclusions: Within a service system that determines access according to an arbitrary age of onset, patients with depression receive the best assessment from specialised psychogeriatric services. However, patients with an early age of onset, more chronic disorders and poor outcomes are treated largely within community-based adult services. Psychiatric services need to ensure that all older patients with depression receive appropriate biomedical and psychosocial assessment, as well as continuity of medical and psychological treatment.

Delivering recovery focused mental health care in Ireland: implications for services and practice development

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Shah ◽  
M. Nolan ◽  
M. Ryan ◽  
J. Williams ◽  
D. Fannon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Personal Recovery

IntroductionThe recovery approach provides a key organising principle underlying mental health policy throughout the English speaking world with endorsement by agencies such as the World Health Organisation. In Ireland, personal recovery is one of the quality markers identified by users of mental health services and has become central to national mental health policy.Aim and objectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the implications for mental health services and professional practice arising from a structured investigation of what personal recovery means for people using specialist mental health services and the extent to which services support their individual recovery.MethodTen service user participants in a service initiative were assessed using a novel measure based on an empirically based conceptual framework of recovery. The INSPIRE determines the level of recovery promoting support received from mental health staff and the quality of the supportive relationship as perceived by individual service users.ResultsA consistent pattern of beliefs about recovery in keeping with national guidelines and the international literature was apparent. All respondents indicated that support by other people was an important part of their recovery with high levels of support received from mental health professionals. There was less consistent endorsement of the quality of relationships with professionals and recovery-oriented practice as perceived by participants.ConclusionThe findings are highly relevant to the development of recovery focused, clinically excellent services. Further work is needed to improve the process of translating recovery guidance into mental health practice.

scholarly journals Assessing and Improving the Quality in Mental Health Services

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lampros Samartzis ◽  
Michael A. Talias
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Method Of Calculation ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative

Background: The mental health of the population consists of the three essential pillars of quality of life, economy, and society. Mental health services take care of the prevention and treatment of mental disorders and through them maintain, improve, and restore the mental health of the population. The purpose of this study is to describe the methodology for qualitative and quantitative evaluation and improvement of the mental health service system. Methods: This is a narrative review study that searches the literature to provide criteria, indicators, and methodology for evaluating and improving the quality of mental health services and the related qualitative and quantitative indicators. The bibliography was searched in popular databases PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, using the keywords “mental”, “health”, “quality”, “indicators”, alone or in combinations thereof. Results: Important quality indicators of mental health services have been collected and presented, and modified where appropriate. The definition of each indicator is presented here, alongside its method of calculation and importance. Each indicator belongs to one of the eight dimensions of quality assessment: (1) Suitability of services, (2) Accessibility of patients to services, (3) Acceptance of services by patients, (4) Ability of healthcare professionals to provide services, (5) Efficiency of health professionals and providers, (6) Continuity of service over time (ensuring therapeutic continuity), (7) Efficiency of health professionals and services, (8) Safety (for patients and for health professionals). Discussion/Conclusions: Accessibility and acceptability of service indicators are important for the attractiveness of services related to their use by the population. Profitability indicators are important economic indicators that affect the viability and sustainability of services, factors that are now taken into account in any health policy. All of the indicators mentioned are related to public health, affecting the quality of life, morbidity, mortality, and life expectancy, directly or indirectly. The systematic measurement and monitoring of indicators and the measurement and quantification of quality through them, are the basis for evidence-based health policy for improvement of the quality of mental health services.

The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse Discovery on Caregivers and Families: A Qualitative Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (21-22) ◽  
pp. 4189-4215
Author(s):  
Hiu-fai Fong ◽  
Colleen E. Bennett ◽  
Valerie Mondestin ◽  
Philip V. Scribano ◽  
Cynthia Mollen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Sexual Abuse Victims ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Nonoffending Caregivers

In this qualitative study with nonoffending caregivers of suspected child sexual abuse victims, we aimed to explore the perceived impact of sexual abuse discovery on caregivers and their families, and caregivers’ attitudes about mental health services for themselves. We conducted semistructured, in-person interviews with 22 nonoffending caregivers of suspected sexual abuse victims <13 years old seen at a child advocacy center in Philadelphia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using modified grounded theory. Recruitment continued until thematic saturation was reached. We found that caregivers experienced significant emotional and psychological distress, characterized by anger, depressed mood, and guilt, after learning that their child may have been sexually abused. We identified four specific sources of caregiver distress: concerns about their child, negative beliefs about their parenting abilities, family members’ actions and behaviors, and memories of their own past maltreatment experiences. Some caregivers described worsening family relationships after discovery of their child’s sexual abuse, while others reported increased family cohesion. Finally, we found that most caregivers in this study believed that mental health services for themselves were necessary or beneficial to help them cope with the impact of their child’s sexual abuse. These results highlight the need for professionals working with families affected by sexual abuse to assess the emotional and psychological needs of nonoffending caregivers and offer mental health services. Helping caregivers link to mental health services, tailored to their unique needs after sexual abuse discovery, may be an acceptable strategy to improve caregiver and child outcomes after sexual abuse.

scholarly journals Improving the quality of mental health services using patient outcome data: Making the most of HoNOS

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike J. Crawford ◽  
Mo Zoha ◽  
Alastair J. D. Macdonald ◽  
David Kingdon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Lack Of Information

SummaryEfforts to assess and improve the quality of mental health services are often hampered by a lack of information on patient outcomes. Most mental health services in England have been routinely collecting Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) data for some time. In this article we illustrate how clinical teams have used HoNOS data to identify areas where performance could be improved. HoNOS data have the potential to give clinical teams the information they need to assess the quality of care they deliver, as well as develop and test initiatives aimed at improving the services they provide.

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