Child and adolescent mental health nurses’ perceptions of their professional identity: an exploratory study

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 281-291
Author(s):  
Philippa Rasmussen ◽  
Tiffany Conroy ◽  
Mette Grønkjær
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nurses Perceptions ◽  
Specific Care

Purpose Nurses with specialised knowledge, experience and education are needed to provide specific care in nursing subspecialties such as child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) nursing. However, some of these attributes are implicit and not clear to the wider nursing community. The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of a conceptual framework for CAMH inpatient nursing practice to other areas of CAMH nursing practice. This paper presents an exploratory study regarding the applicability of the framework to two small cohorts of CAMH nurses. This study was conducted in Tasmania, Australia and Northern Denmark. These settings were chosen due to the self-perceived knowledge gap surrounding the role and professional identity of these Australian and Danish CAMH nurses. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory qualitative study within the social constructivist paradigm was undertaken. The method of data collection was two focus groups of CAMH nurses in Tasmania, Australia and Northern Denmark. The data were analysed using an adaptation of a six-phase thematic analysis process. Findings The analysis of the data resulted in three themes: individual preparation and experience of CAMH nurses, knowledge transfer and nurses’ perceptions of their individual and team roles. The findings have contributed new knowledge of CAMH nursing. Originality/value The findings of this study may support the applicability of the conceptual framework with participants’ endorsing that it reflects their role.

Identifying the scope of practice in nursing specialties using child and adolescent mental health as an illustration

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Mental Health Nursing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Nursing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of the process of identifying a conceptual framework of practice to areas of nursing without a current clearly identified scope of practice. Worldwide, nursing is a diverse profession with many recognised sub-specialties, some of which are under threat. Nurses with specialised knowledge, experience and education are needed to provide specific care in nursing sub-specialties. However, some of these characteristics are implicit and not clear to the wider nursing community. This paper presents an overview of research to identify the parameters of practice for a sub-specialty of nursing. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology was interpretive enquiry as it allowed for the interpretation of multiple realities which resulted in a rich description of the work of a sub-specialty. The research used document analysis, focus group interviews and individual interviews as the methods of collecting data. Documents were analysed using iterative and thematic analysis The focus group and individual interview data were analysed using an adaptation of a six-phase thematic analysis process. Findings – This paper presents the findings of the entire analysis and the resultant holistic conceptual framework for the work of the child and adolescent mental health nurse in the inpatient unit. The findings have contributed new knowledge to mental health nursing, specifically child and adolescent mental health nursing making the parameters of practice more explicit. Research is currently being undertaken in Australia to further develop the framework for other sub-specialties of nursing such as community health and orthopaedics. These sub-specialties have been identified as potentially at risk. Originality/value – This paper discussed the applicability of a broader use of a qualitative research methodology used to identify scope of practice in child and adolescent mental health nursing, for other nursing specialties.

scholarly journals Mentally disordered young offenders in transition from child and adolescent to adult mental health services across England and Wales

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria I. Livanou ◽  
Vivek Furtado ◽  
Swaran P. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Young Offenders ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper provides an overview of transitions across forensic child and adolescent mental health services in England and Wales. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the national secure services system for young people in contact with the youth justice system. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews findings from the existing literature of transitions across forensic child and adolescent mental health services, drawing attention to present facilitators and barriers to optimal transition. The authors examine the infrastructure of current services and highlight gaps between child and adult service continuity and evaluate the impact of poor transitions on young offenders’ mental health and wellbeing. Findings Young offenders experience a broad range of difficulties, from the multiple interfaces with the legal system, untreated mental health problems, and poor transition to adult services. Barriers such as long waiting lists, lack of coordination between services and lack of transition preparation impede significantly smooth transitions. Research limitations/implications The authors need to develop, test and evaluate models of transitional care that improve mental health and wellbeing of this group. Practical implications Mapping young offenders’ care pathway will help to understand their needs and also to impact current policy and practice. Key workers in forensic services should facilitate the transition process by developing sustainable relationships with the young person and creating a safe clinical environment. Originality/value Transition of care from forensic child and adolescent mental health services is a neglected area. This paper attempts to highlight the nature and magnitude of the problems at the transition interface in a forensic context.

An exemplar of GP commissioning and child and adolescent mental health service partnership

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayla Humphrey ◽  
Lynne Eastwood ◽  
Helen Atkins ◽  
Maris Vainre ◽  
Caroline Lea-Cox
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Capacity Planning ◽  
Service User ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Report ◽  
Shared Goals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to commissioning and service structures enabling implementation of evidence-based cost-effective care as illustrated by the “1419” young people’s service treating mild to moderate severity mental health difficulties in teenagers old 14 to 19 years. The authors describe relevant local contextual factors: “relational commissioning”, demand capacity planning and a receptive and safe clinical context. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a participant observer qualitative research design to describe commissioning and service design. Treatment outcomes were analysed using a quantitative design and found significant improvement in service user mental health and daily function. These results will be reported elsewhere. Findings – The dynamics and structures described here enabled clear shared goals between service user, service purchaser, service provider and service partners. The goals and design of the service were not static and were subject to ongoing development using routine outcome measures and conversations between referrers, commissioners, service users and within the team about what was and was not working. Research limitations/implications – The methods are limited by the lack of a prospective systematic evaluation of the implementation process and by the time limitations of the service. Practical implications – Implementation of whole system change such as that envisioned by Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies requires consideration of local context and process of implementation. The authors suggest key factors: consideration of “relational commissioning” with purchasers, providers and service users designing services together; case-level collaboration between services and partner agencies; smaller child and adolescent mental health teams eliminating competing task demands, permitting speed of action, providing psychological safety for staff, promoting shared goals and innovation; rigorous demand/capacity planning to inform funding. Social implications – The failings of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are detailed in the Department of Health report “Future in mind: promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing” (2015). The aims of the report are contingent on the ability of local health providers to implement its recommendations. The authors provide a theoretical approach to enable this implementation. Originality/value – To date there are no published papers addressing the key characteristics enabling implementation of evidence-based practice within CAMHS. The unique experience in forming the“1419” service has important implications nationally and brings together evidence of an effective service within a theoretical underpinned context.

Vulnerable young people’s experiences of child and adolescent mental health services

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Davison ◽  
Victoria Zamperoni ◽  
Helen J. Stain
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Experience ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health Service

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of vulnerable young people in using a local child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods design was employed in which participants completed the self-report Experience of Service Questionnaire (CHI ESQ) (n=34), and a subgroup completed individual semi-structured interviews (n=17). CHI ESQ satisfaction data were also compared with a national data sample provided by the Child Outcomes Research Consortium (n=621). Findings Many young people appeared to have a mixed or negative experience of the CAMHS service. They strongly emphasised that feeling listened to, cared for, and supported, in addition to access and continuity of care, are key methods to enhance their experience. They also reported a lack of knowledge and stigma associated with mental health as key barriers to engagement with services more widely. Research limitations/implications Purposive sampling was used to recruit a carefully defined group of vulnerable young people from one school using a single CAMHS service. Practical implications A number of recommendations were identified that could enhance the service experience of young people. Originality/value There is a significant paucity of knowledge regarding young people’s views and experiences of CAMHS, especially those with high vulnerability for mental health difficulties. This exploratory study offers methods for capturing the opinions of underrepresented young people to inform future service design.

Attuned Practice: a service user study of specialist child and adolescent mental health, UK

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie Hart ◽  
Alex Saunders ◽  
Helen Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
User Study ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Children’S Services

SummaryAims – Best practice emphasises user involvement. This exploratory study addresses the views of teenage clients and their parents on service delivery in a specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) serving a population of 250,000. It aims to explore some of the complexities inherent in children's services when parents are integral to modes of treatment. Methods — Twenty-seven teenage clients from specialist CAMHS were recruited with their parents (n=30). All were white British, 11 boys and 16 girls, from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Focus groups were employed using a series of structured interactive technique to elicit information, preceded by home visits. Analysis of interview data followed standard approaches to qualitative data analysis. Descriptive statistics were generated from both home interview data and focus groups. Results – Three themes emerged: the core values implicated in establishing a therapeutic alliance; the style of therapy and mode of practice (i.e. its inclusiveness of different family members). Practice implications – Core therapeutic skills are of fundamental importance. Our paper supplements a model of organisational user involvement with a model of therapeutic user involvement for use in negotiating mode of practice. Conclusions – This exploratory study was a collaboration between service users, researchers and health professionals exploring three important themes of therapy and the complexities inherent in children's services. The process of eliciting views was therapeutic in itself leading to the formation of a parent-led self-help group. The design can be replicated in other specialist CAMHS to achieve attuned practice.Declaration of Interest: none.

Comparing Choice and Partnership Approach assumptions to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 812-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Wilson ◽  
Julie Metcalfe ◽  
Stephen McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Capacity Model ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health Service ◽  
Partnership Approach ◽  
Demand And Capacity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) activity data over a one-year period to the Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) demand and capacity model assumptions, providing an evaluation of CAPA model implementation and its effects on actual demand and capacity of the service. Design/methodology/approach – Three assumptions within the CAPA model are tested against activity data extracted from the patient management system. Analysis by patient record assesses the number of appointments the patients received and the patients’ journey from assessment to treatment. A combination of community CAMHS data are combined to compare actual activity against assumed capacity required to meet demand according to the CAPA model. Findings – Tested against an audit of 2,896 patient records, CAMHS average 7.76 core appointments per patient compared to the CAPA assumption of 7.5 appointments at a 0 per cent DNA rate. The second CAPA assumption states that 66 per cent of assessments will result in treatment, compared to 73.55 per cent in NHSGGC CAMHS. Finally, the workforce model in CAMHS has clinical capacity to meet demand according to the CAPA assumption of weekly accepted referral rates not exceeding the number of clinical whole time equivalent. Originality/value – The data allow for identification of inefficiencies within CAMHS and highlights how capacity can be increased, without increasing budgets, to meet a rising clinical demand. The results allow managers and clinicians to improve job planning to ensure more children and young people have quick access to services.

Child and adolescent psychopathology: resources for clinicians, researchers, educators, and parents

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Michele Frasier-Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Child And Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Disorders

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an annotated bibliography of books and journal titles to assist researchers, clinicians, educators and parents in need of information on child and adolescent psychopathology. Design/methodology/approach Resources that include a wide range child and adolescent mental disorders were selected. Criteria for book selection was based on those that include evidence-based therapies. Journal titles were selected based on impact factor according to Journal Citation Reports. Findings The scholarship on child and adolescent psychopathology is immense. After a review of the literature, 15 books and eight journal titles that reflect the diverse nature of child and adolescent mental health disorders are included. Originality/value This is an original bibliography that will be helpful to librarians assisting patrons with information needs about child and adolescent mental health disorders.

A feasibility and pilot trial of computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression in adolescents: lessons learned from planning and conducting a randomised controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Tindall ◽  
Danielle Varley ◽  
Barry Wright
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus upon the challenges faced by a research team when conducting a computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (CCBT) trial for adolescents with low mood/depression and how solutions were sought to eliminate these difficulties in future child and adolescent mental health clinical research. Design/methodology/approach The authors have presented a number of problems faced by the research team when conducting a randomised controlled trial (RCT) concerning adolescents with low mood/depression. Findings From examining the problems faced by the research team, the authors have provided key pieces of advice for prospective adolescent mental health RCTs. This advice includes developing clear project plans, setting strategies to encourage and maintain study information in the community and support recruitment, and keeping your organisation appraised of study needs and network and involve governance departments, IT and finance departments in these discussions early. Originality/value RCTs, particularly those focusing on child and adolescent mental health, can face a number of difficulties throughout its stages of completion (from protocol development to follow-up analysis). Studies involving the use of technologies add a layer of complexity to this. This review will be of value to researchers aiming to run a high-quality RCT concerning child and adolescent mental health.

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