Challenges of measuring the influence of the Recovery Academy upon health professionals: considerations for quantitative research
The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice
ISSN: 1755-6228
Article publication date: 22 March 2019
Issue publication date: 26 April 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon experiences of measuring the influences of the Recovery Academy within Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) NHS Foundation Trust amongst a student population of health professionals. This paper aims to present considerations for future quantitative research surrounding the efficacy of Recovery Colleges such as the Recovery Academy.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilised baseline data collected from health professionals as part of a quantitative evaluation of the Recovery Academy. The paper discusses challenges experienced in measuring change amongst this student population within GMMH.
Findings
Health professionals reported positive attitudes towards recovery at baseline presenting challenges in measuring attitudinal change associated with the Recovery Academy. The experiences of conducting research amongst health professionals within GMMH offers insights into the selection and use of self-report measures in Recovery College research; the representativeness of health professional student populations; and models of course attendance within Recovery Colleges.
Originality/value
The existing literature specific to Recovery College influences upon health professionals remains predominantly qualitative and anecdotal. It is important to gather empirical evidence regarding Recovery Colleges to establish their ability to re-orientate health professionals around principles of recovery. This paper therefore offers considerations for future researchers aiming to gather empirical evidence which may facilitate quantitative evaluations of Recovery Colleges such as the Recovery Academy amongst staff populations.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the course administrators at the Recovery Academy within Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust for raising awareness of the study locally to support research study recruitment. The study would also like to thank the Psychosis Research Unit within Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust who utilised existing resources to fund the study. The authors alone are responsible for this paper and report no declaration of interest.
Citation
Sutton, R. and French, P. (2019), "Challenges of measuring the influence of the Recovery Academy upon health professionals: considerations for quantitative research", The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 149-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2018-0027
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited