scholarly journals Challenges in providing ethically competent health care to incarcerated older adults with mental illness: a qualitative study exploring mental health professionals’ perspectives in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirubel Manyazewal Mussie ◽  
Félix Pageau ◽  
Helene Merkt ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo ◽  
Bernice Simone Elger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Competent Health Care

Abstract Background The population of incarcerated older adults is the fastest growing demographic in prisons. Older persons in custody have poorer health as compared with those in the community. The unmet and complex health care needs of incarcerated older adults with mental illness raise justice, safety, dignity and fairness in care as ethical concerns. As there exists research gap to better understand these concerns, the current study aimed at exploring the perspectives of mental health professionals on challenges in delivering ethically competent care to mentally ill incarcerated older adults in Canada. Methods Thirty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted between August 2017 and November 2018 with prison mental health professionals in Canada who were selected using purposive and convenience sampling techniques. The audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed inductively to generate themes. Results The results were distilled into three main categories and seven subcategories that related to ethical issues in the provision of health care for mentally ill incarcerated older adults. The main categories included imprisoned older persons with special care needs, lack of resources, and the peer-support program. Conclusions Results of this study showed that existing practices of care of mentally ill incarcerated older adults are characterised by challenges that increase their vulnerability to worse health conditions. It is imperative for local authorities, policy makers and representatives to prepare for and respond to the challenges that compromise ethically competent health care for, and healthy ageing of, mentally ill incarcerated older adults.

scholarly journals Organizing as negotiation: the construction of a pathway in Norwegian mental health services

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tine Nesboe Toerseth
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Pathway ◽  
The Political

Abstract Background In 2015, a decision was made to implement clinical pathways in Norwegian mental health services. The idea was to construct pathways similar to those used in cancer treatment. These pathways are based on diagnosis and evidence-based medicine and have strict timeframes for the different procedures. The purpose of this article is to provide a thorough examination of the formulation of the pathway “mental illness, adults” in Norwegian mental health services. In recent decades, much research has examined the implementations and outcomes of different mental health sector reforms and services in Western societies. However, there has been a lack of research on the process and creation of these reforms and/or services, particularly how they emerge as constructs in the contexts of policy, profession and practice. Methods A qualitative single case study design was employed. A text and document analysis was performed in which 52 articles and opinion pieces, 30 public hearing responses and 8 political documents and texts were analysed to identify the main actors in the discourse of mental health services and to enable a replication of their affiliated institutional logics and their views concerning the clinical pathway. Additionally, ten qualitative interviews were performed with members of the work group responsible for designating the pathway “mental illness, adults”. Results This article shows how the two main actor groups, “Mental health professionals” and “Politicians”, are guided by values associated with a specific logic when understanding the concept of a clinical pathway (CP). The findings show that actors within the political field believe in control and efficiency, in contrast to actors in mental health services, who are guided by values of discretion and autonomy. This leads to a debate on the concept of CPs and mental health services. The discussion becomes polarized between concern for patients and concern for efficiency. The making of the pathway is led by the Directorate of Health, with health professionals operating in the political domain and who have knowledge of the values of both logics, which were taken into consideration when formulating the pathways, and explains how the pathway became a complex negotiation process between the two logics and where actors on both sides were able to retain their core values. Ultimately, the number of pathways was reduced from 22 to 9. The final “Pathway for mental illness, adults” was a general pathway involving several groups of patients. The pathway explains the process from diagnosis through treatment and finalizing treatment. The different steps involve time frames that need to be coded, requiring more rigid administrative work for compliance, but without stating specific diagnostic tools or preferred treatment strategies. Conclusions This article shows that there is also a downside of having sense making guided by strong values associated with a specific institutional logic when constructing new, and hopefully better, mental health care services. This article demonstrates how retaining values sometimes becomes more crucial than engaging in constructive debates about how to solve issues of importance within the field of mental health care.

scholarly journals HUMAN RIGHTS OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 31-35
Author(s):  
Christos Iliadis ◽  
Aikaterini Frantzana ◽  
Aikaterini Kourkouta ◽  
Petros Ouzounakis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Dynamic Process ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Study Material

Introduction: Mental health is the development of a person's healthy view ofthemselves and the environment in which they live, so that they can achieve thehighest degree of self-fulfillment. Purpose: The purpose of the present work is toinvestigate and highlight the rights of the mentally ill and to promote and promotethe health of these patients. Methodology: The study material consisted of articleson the topic found in Greek and international databases such as: Google Scholar,Mednet, Pubmed, Medline and the Hellenic Academic Libraries Association(HEAL-Link), using keywords: mental illness, patient rights, health professionals. Results: The rights of mental patients and their exercise in a meaningful andeffective manner is a dynamic process that encompasses the corresponding rightsand obligations of mental health professionals. An important legal effort to protectthe rights of the mentally ill is Resolution 46/119 of the United Nations GeneralAssembly on the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness and Improving MentalHealth Care, adopted on 17 December 1991. Conclusions: The exercise of therights of the mentally ill requires their encouragement from mental healthprofessionals, who are essentially obliged to refrain from restrictive practices.

EPA guidance on how to improve the image of psychiatry and of the psychiatrist

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Bhugra ◽  
N. Sartorius ◽  
A. Fiorillo ◽  
S. Evans-Lacko ◽  
A. Ventriglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media

AbstractStigma against mental illness and the mentally ill is well known. However, stigma against psychiatrists and mental health professionals is known but not discussed widely. Public attitudes and also those of other professionals affect recruitment into psychiatry and mental health services. The reasons for this discriminatory attitude are many and often not dissimilar to those held against mentally ill individuals. In this Guidance paper we present some of the factors affecting the image of psychiatry and psychiatrists which is perceived by the public at large. We look at the portrayal of psychiatry, psychiatrists in the media and literature which may affect attitudes. We also explore potential causes and explanations and propose some strategies in dealing with negative attitudes. Reduction in negative attitudes will improve recruitment and retention in psychiatry. We recommend that national psychiatric societies and other stakeholders, including patients, their families and carers, have a major and significant role to play in dealing with stigma, discrimination and prejudice against psychiatry and psychiatrists.

Opinions about Mental Illness: Hospital Differences in Attitude for Eight Occupation Groups

1965 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Cohen ◽  
Elmer L. Struening
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Hospital ◽  
Hospital Employees ◽  
Occupation Group ◽  
Opinions About Mental Illness

When between-hospital ( n = 12) and within-occupation group ( n = 8) differences in attitude-opinion toward the mentally ill are studied for 4784 mental hospital employees, Authoritarianism and Benevolence do not vary among mental health professionals but do for others; the reverse obtains for Interpersonal Etiology; and Social Restrictiveness differentiates in virtually all groups and most sharply in psychiatrists.

scholarly journals Mental health problems, benefits and tackling discrimination

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Galloway ◽  
Billy Boland ◽  
Gareth Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Policy Institute

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.

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