scholarly journals Aims for service user involvement in mental health training: staying human

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 208-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Lea ◽  
Sue Holttum ◽  
Anne Cooke ◽  
Linda Riley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Training ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of service user involvement in mental health training but little is known about what staff, trainees and service users themselves want to achieve. Design/methodology/approach Three separate focus groups were held with service users, training staff and trainees associated with a clinical psychology training programme. Thematic analysis was used to identify aims for involvement. Findings All groups wanted to ensure that future professionals “remained human” in the way they relate to people who use services. Service user and carer involvement was seen as a way of achieving this and mitigating the problem of “them and us thinking”. The authors found that groups had some aims in common and others that were unique. Service users highlighted the aim of achieving equality with mental health professionals as an outcome of their involvement in teaching. Research limitations/implications The samples were small and from one programme. Practical implications Common aims can be highlighted to foster collaborative working. However, the findings suggest that service users and carers, staff and trainees may also have different priorities for learning. These need to be recognised and addressed by mental health educators. Originality/value This was the first study to explore in depth the differing aims of different stakeholder groups for service user involvement. Clarification of aims is a vital first step in developing any future measure of the impact of service user involvement on mental health practice.

Service User Involvement in Research

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Wallcraft
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Staff Attitudes ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Treatment Staff ◽  
The Impact

This chapter traces the development of service user involvement in research and user-controlled research, from its origins in the early 1990s to the present day where mental health researchers are expected to involve service users. It looks at why service users wanted to be involved in research and their issues of concern, including the effects of treatment, staff attitudes, and human rights. Values in research are linked to the epistemological underpinnings of research, and it is argued that service users’ ways of knowing based on experience are in conflict with mainstream research based on claims of objectivity and neutrality. Service user involvement at all levels from consultation to control is explored with examples. The benefits and problems of working in partnership are explored, and the chapter ends with an assessment of the impact of involvement in research and how it can lead to change.

scholarly journals Psychiatric drugs: reconsidering their mode of action and the implications for service user involvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Marc Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychiatric Drugs

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine two competing pharmacological models that have been used to understand how psychiatric drugs work: the disease-centred model and the drug-centred model. In addition, it explores the implications of these two models for mental health service users and the degree to which they are meaningfully involved in decisions about the use of psychiatric drugs. Design/methodology/approach The approach is a conceptual review and critical comparison of two pharmacological models used to understand the mode of action of psychiatric drugs. On the basis of this analysis, the paper also provides a critical examination, supported by the available literature, of the implications of these two models for service user involvement in mental health care. Findings The disease-centred model is associated with a tendency to view the use of psychiatric drugs as a technical matter that is to be determined by mental health professionals. In contrast, the drug-centred model emphasises the centrality of the individual experience of taking a psychiatric drug and implies a more equitable relationship between practitioners and mental health service users. Originality/value Although infrequently articulated, assumptions about how psychiatric drugs work have important consequences for service user involvement in mental health care. Critical consideration of these assumptions is an important aspect of seeking to maximise service user involvement in decisions about the use of psychiatric drugs as a response to their experience of mental distress.

Overcoming challenges in service user involvement in an older people’s mental health service

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Sophie Smith ◽  
Maria Abbas ◽  
Ariane Zegarra
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Members

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe how an older people’s mental health service involves service users in research and service improvement projects, the value of this work and the ways in which barriers to user-led research have been approached and handled. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a reflective review of their experiences of running “ResearchNet”, a group aimed at putting service users’ perspectives at the heart of service improvement projects, which benefits from and develops its members’ related skills. The authors explore overcoming barriers to service user involvement in research. Findings This paper identified the following key elements that enabled ResearchNet to overcome barriers which might be found in service user–led research: recruitment processes; identifying research projects; building confidence, sustaining motivation and overcoming setbacks; developing service user’s research skills; keeping multiple views in mind; involving people with dementia; being responsive to group members’ needs; and keeping the group safe. Practical implications Oxleas National Health Service is currently looking at integrating with the quality improvement team to provide further structure and training to group members. Originality/value This paper explores an under-represented area of research – service user inclusion in older adult mental health research and service improvement. It provides much needed clinical implications for clinicians seeking to increase clients’ involvement in research and service development projects.

Now they’re listening: involvement in clinical psychology training

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29
Author(s):  
Laura Lea ◽  
Sue Holttum ◽  
Victoria Butters ◽  
Diana Byrne ◽  
Helen Cable ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Psychology ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Service User ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychology Training ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Clinical Psychology Training ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe 2014/2015 UK requirement for involvement of service users and carers in training mental health professionals has prompted the authors to review the work of involvement in clinical psychology training in the university programme. Have the voices of service users and carers been heard? The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe authors update the paper of 2011 in which the authors described the challenges of inclusion and the specific approaches the authors take to involvement. The authors do this in the context of the recent change to UK standards for service user and carer involvement, and recent developments in relation to partnership working and co-production in mental healthcare. The authors describe the work carried out by the authors – members of a service user involvement group at a UK university – to ensure the voices of people affected by mental health difficulties are included in all aspects of training.FindingsCareful work and the need for dedicated time is required to enable inclusive, effective and comprehensive participation in a mental health training programme. It is apparent that there is a group of service users whose voice is less heard: those who are training to be mental health workers.Social implicationsFor some people, involvement has increased. Trainee mental health professionals’ own experience of distress may need more recognition and valuing.Originality/valueThe authors are in a unique position to review a service-user-led project, which has run for 12 years, whose aim has been to embed involvement in training. The authors can identify both achievements and challenges.

scholarly journals Service user involvement in cancer care: the impact on service users

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Cotterell ◽  
Gwen Harlow ◽  
Carolyn Morris ◽  
Peter Beresford ◽  
Bec Hanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Care ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
The Impact

Tame clients: an evaluation of service users’ and trainee clinical psychologists’ perspective of service user involvement in teaching

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 327-338
Author(s):  
Carl Norwood ◽  
Anna Tickle ◽  
Danielle De Boos ◽  
Roberta Dewa
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Psychology ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Clinical Psychologists ◽  
Psychology Training ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Clinical Psychology Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Competency Frameworks

Purpose The involvement of service users within clinical psychology training is written into policy. However, the practice of evaluating involvement from both trainees’ and service users’ viewpoint is minimal. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate recent service user involvement in psychometrics and formulation teaching on a clinical psychology training programme, from both service user and trainee perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Focus groups were held with service users (n=3) involved in the teaching, as well as trainees (n=3). Additional questionnaire data were captured from trainees (n=11). Service user and trainee data were analysed separately using thematic analysis. Themes generated for trainees were also mapped on to a competency framework for clinical psychologists. Findings Both parties found the teaching beneficial. Service users enjoyed supporting trainees and engaged positively in their roles. They identified relational aspects and reflections on their own therapy as other benefits. Trainees reported enhanced clinical preparedness, critical and personal reflection. Trainee anxiety was evident. Learning mapped well to competency frameworks. Research limitations/implications The samples were small and some data truncated. Findings speak to broader issues and may transfer to other involvement contexts. Practical implications A good degree of meaningful involvement can be achieved through such initiatives, to mutual benefit and enhanced learning. Originality/value Nature of the exercise and dual-aspect approach to evaluation described here helps to minimise tokenism. The mapping of findings to competency frameworks supports evaluative processes and helps to legitimise involvement initiatives that challenge the boundaries of existing practice.

scholarly journals Service user involvement in cognitive behavioural therapy training: an interpretive phenomenological analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-198
Author(s):  
Peter Thomas Garwood ◽  
Alexander Hassett
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Service User ◽  
Training Session ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Service User Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

Purpose The last two decades have seen an increase in service user involvement (SUI) in the training of Mental Health Professionals (MHP). There is developing empirical support for SUI in MHP training, however, there is no published research into SUI in the training of Cognitive Behavioural Therapists. The purpose of this paper is to explore cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) trainees’ experience of SUI in their training. The study focuses on how an individual service user (SU) led training session is experienced and how this differs to routine CBT training. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings Data revealed three superordinate themes: first, predisposing influences on learning; second, factors associated with emotional processing of experience; and third, impact upon learning outcomes. The results suggest that participants’ appraisal of their learning from SUI maybe influenced by how they accommodate the emotional impact of the experience. Originality/value The paper makes recommendations for educators on courses involving service users (SUs), acknowledges the study’s methodological limitations and suggests areas for future research.

Impact on staff attitudes of brief personality disorder training for acute psychiatric wards

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire McDonald ◽  
Fiona Seaman-Thornton ◽  
Che Ling Michelle Mok ◽  
Hanne Jakobsen ◽  
Simon Riches
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Staff Attitudes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Wards ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Negative attitudes towards “personality disorder” are common among mental health professionals. This study aims to design a psychoeducational training targeting attitudes to “personality disorder” for staff working in a London psychiatric hospital. Its impact on staff attitudes was evaluated. Design/methodology/approach Mental health clinicians were recruited from five acute psychiatric wards. Feasibility of implementing the training was measured. A free-association exercise explored baseline attitudes to “personality disorder” and visual analogue scales assessed staff attitudes pre- and post-training. Content analysis of staff feedback was carried out. Findings Psychoeducational training was found to be feasible, well-attended and highly valued by ward staff (N = 47). Baseline results revealed negative perceptions of “personality disorder”. Post-training, significant improvements in understanding, levels of compassion and attitudes to working with service users with a diagnosis of a “personality disorder” were observed. Staff feedback highlighted desire for further training and support. Research limitations/implications The sample size was relatively small and there was no control group, so findings should be interpreted with caution. Practical implications The findings highlight the need for support for staff working with service users with diagnoses of “personality disorder” on acute psychiatric wards. Providing regular training with interactive components may promote training as a resource for staff well-being. Planning to ensure service users’ and carers’ views are incorporated into the design of future training will be important. Originality/value This study is innovative in that it investigates the impact of a brief psychoeducational training on “personality disorder” designed for mental health staff on acute psychiatric wards.

scholarly journals Involvement in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work: Conceptions of Service Users

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minna Laitila ◽  
Merja Nikkonen ◽  
Anna-Maija Pietilä
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Service User ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Service User Involvement

Service user involvement (SUI) is a principal and a guideline in social and health care and also in mental health and substance abuse work. In practice, however, there are indicators of SUI remaining rhetoric rather than reality. The purpose of this study was to analyse and describe service users' conceptions of SUI in mental health and substance abuse work. The following study question was addressed: what are service users' conceptions of service user involvement in mental health and substance abuse work? In total, 27 users of services participated in the study, and the data was gathered by means of interviews. A phenomenographic approach was applied in order to explore the qualitative variations in participants' conceptions of SUI. As a result of the data analysis, four main categories of description representing service users' conceptions of service user involvement were formed: service users have the best expertise, opinions are not heard, systems make the rules, and courage and readiness to participate. In mental health and substance abuse work, SUI is still insufficiently achieved and there are obstacles to be taken into consideration. Nurses are in a key position to promote and encourage service user involvement.

scholarly journals Systematic synthesis of barriers and facilitators to service user-led care planning

2015 ◽  
Vol 207 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Bee ◽  
Owen Price ◽  
John Baker ◽  
Karina Lovell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Service User ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Service User Involvement

BackgroundService user (patient) involvement in care planning is a principle enshrined by mental health policy yet often attracts criticism from patients and carers in practice.AimsTo examine how user-involved care planning is operationalised within mental health services and to establish where, how and why challenges to service user involvement occur.MethodSystematic evidence synthesis.ResultsSynthesis of data from 117 studies suggests that service user involvement fails because the patients' frame of reference diverges from that of providers. Service users and carers attributed highest value to the relational aspects of care planning. Health professionals inconsistently acknowledged the quality of the care planning process, tending instead to define service user involvement in terms of quantifiable service-led outcomes.ConclusionsService user-involved care planning is typically operationalised as a series of practice-based activities compliant with auditor standards. Meaningful involvement demands new patient-centred definitions of care planning quality. New organisational initiatives should validate time spent with service users and display more tangible and flexible commitments to meeting their needs.

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