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21 – 30 of over 94000Alison Faulkner and Thurstine Basset
The purpose of this paper is to review current perspectives on peer support in mental health informed by service user perspectives.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review current perspectives on peer support in mental health informed by service user perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is informed by a literature review and consultations with five groups of service users engaged in different forms of peer support.
Findings
The findings suggest that there are many benefits to service users from engaging in peer support. These include: shared identity; development and sharing of skills; increased confidence; improved mental health and wellbeing; and the potential for challenging stigma and discrimination. Most difficulties encountered were associated with “intentional peer support”, where service users are employed as peer support workers – these included role conflict, setting boundaries, and ensuring adequate training and support. A key theme that divided opinion was the degree to which peer support should be “professionalised” as part of statutory services.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that it is vital to acknowledge the different views about peer support that arise in different service user and voluntary sector groups: views about such core issues as payment, equality, and professionalisation. Ultimately, peer support arises from people wanting to create their own support networks; any plans to formalise it from within statutory services need to acknowledge that pre‐existing grassroots expertise.
Originality/value
Recent developments mean that peer support, which originated from the grassroots of service user experience, has taken a new direction through becoming incorporated into statutory services. This paper looks at some of the benefits and pitfalls of these developments informed by the views of service users.
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Jodie Louise Fellows and Lizanne Jones
This purpose of this paper is to seek service users' opinions in order to assist the development of the challenging behaviour strategy (CBS) being developed by Worcestershire…
Abstract
Purpose
This purpose of this paper is to seek service users' opinions in order to assist the development of the challenging behaviour strategy (CBS) being developed by Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership Trust.
Design/methodology/approach
Potential focus group members were identified by local advocacy workers and clinical psychologists. All were known through their involvement in advocacy groups. During the focus group, opinions were sought on the draft CBS document to establish areas to be modified. Focus group members also spontaneously highlighted helpful and unhelpful service responses to challenging behaviour, their opinions of the term “challenging behaviour” and ideas about how such behaviour may develop.
Findings
Service responses were seen as important moderators of challenging behaviour. The proposed strategy was seen as mostly acceptable, but there were some important caveats raised. Participants thought that individuals should be involved as much as is possible in services (e.g. recruitment, inspections of services). Participants also discussed ideas of how to achieve their desired service, which was flexible and inclusive with well‐trained staff who understood the reasons for the individual's distress and how best to help with the resulting behaviours.
Originality/value
Service users with behaviour described as “challenging” are able to reflect upon the service they have received and provide helpful feedback and suggestions on improving it. Service users want staff to understand each individual and the triggers to their behaviour, as opposed to treating people the same way.
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Virginia Minogue, Jean Boness, Ann Brown and John Girdlestone
There are many examples of consumer involvement in NHS research but few studies have examined the impact of this on service development or the research process. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
There are many examples of consumer involvement in NHS research but few studies have examined the impact of this on service development or the research process. This study, involving service user and carer researchers working alongside professional researchers, aimed to examine the development of one service user and carer research group in a mental health Trust.
Dersign/methodology/approach
The research involved a review of existing literature on consumer involvement in research, a review of user involvement in research in South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust, a survey of consumers and NHS staff in the Trust, and a skills audit and training needs analysis of consumers.
Findings
The study identified the range and extent of consumer involvement and the impact of this on consumers and the Trust. Service users and carers were involved in a range of projects, mainly on the level of consultation or collaboration. The benefits for consumers were principally on a personal level and included gaining knowledge and experience, improved sense of well‐being, self esteem, and confidence. The benefit for the Trust was in having a service user perspective and focus. However, there is a tendency to omit service users from planning and setting priorities.
Practical implications
The study pointed to the need to build the evidence base on consumer involvement in research, particularly in terms of how consumers can impact on setting research priorities and selecting appropriate methods. It identifies the need for more training for consumers and for NHS staff and for a more coherent strategy.
Originality/value
This article will be of value to anyone who is at the start or in the early stages of their journey of consumer involvement. It identifies some of the practical issues faced by consumers and staff in working collaboratively, but also points to the benefits for all the stakeholders.
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The aim of this study was to seek the opinions of people with an intellectual disability who have additional mental health needs about the mental health services they receive. A…
Abstract
The aim of this study was to seek the opinions of people with an intellectual disability who have additional mental health needs about the mental health services they receive. A semi‐structured focus group methodology was used to ask participants about all aspects of the mental health services they receive. Overall, it was found that participants valued staff who listened to them and actively tried to help with their difficulties. They also wanted choice and control over their lives, particularly with regard to meaningful day activities. Limitations of the study are highlighted.
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Service user involvement has been spoken and written about for many years in a variety of settings, and is generally considered a good thing. A number of elements of service user…
Abstract
Service user involvement has been spoken and written about for many years in a variety of settings, and is generally considered a good thing. A number of elements of service user involvement have been much debated, including the extent to which service users can realistically be involved in shaping services, who counts as a service user, and how service users can be included when the processes involved in commissioning can be complex and technical. This article considers some of the key issues concerning user involvement in strategic and other commissioning arising from research commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The findings prompt those who are engaged with service user involvement to consider how culture may be as important as, if not more important than, structure when engaging with service users in service design and delivery.
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Peter Williams, David Nicholas and Paul Huntington
Reports on a qualitative study exploring a highly innovative digital TV pilot service. Focus groups of medical and health information professionals, “condition‐specific” subjects…
Abstract
Reports on a qualitative study exploring a highly innovative digital TV pilot service. Focus groups of medical and health information professionals, “condition‐specific” subjects and “general interest” volunteers were recruited to obtain views about the videos generally, in terms of their content and presentation. Issues such as terminology used and the appropriateness of using video to deliver various types of information were also explored; the latter in the light of log statistics indicating relatively low use of videos as compared to text‐based services. Results indicated that those who used the services tended to be avid seekers of information, who saw the service as a first port of call to obtain general information for wider consultation later. Differences emerged between medical professionals and the lay public regarding the use of language and involvement of patients in the videos. Text was regarded as a better medium for conveying some types of information, such as simple facts that might need to be consulted on a regular basis.
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Alina Haines, Elizabeth Perkins, Elizabeth A. Evans and Rhiannah McCabe
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the operation of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings within a forensic hospital in England, UK.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the operation of multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings within a forensic hospital in England, UK.
Design/methodology/approach
Mixed methods, including qualitative face to face interviews with professionals and service users, video observations of MDT meetings and documentary analysis. Data were collected from 142 staff and 30 service users who consented to take part in the research and analysed using the constant comparison technique of grounded theory and ethnography.
Findings
Decisions taken within MDT meetings are unequally shaped by the professional and personal values and assumptions of those involved, as well as by the power dynamics linked to the knowledge and responsibility of each member of the team. Service users’ involvement is marginalised. This is linked to a longstanding tradition of psychiatric paternalism in mental health care.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should explore the nuances of interactions between MDT professionals and service users during the meetings, the language used and the approach taken by professionals to enable/empower service user to be actively involved.
Practical implications
Clear aims, responsibilities and implementation actions are a pre-requisite to effective MDT working. There is a need to give service users greater responsibility and power regarding their care.
Originality/value
While direct (video) observations were very difficult to achieve in secure settings, they enabled unmediated access to how people conducted themselves rather than having to rely only on their subjective accounts (from the interviews).
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Donghee Shin and Yujoing Hwang
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a dual-level (organizational and individual user) analysis of development related to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). It examines the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a dual-level (organizational and individual user) analysis of development related to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). It examines the organizational dynamics of IoMT and develops a conceptual model for quality of experience (QoE) in user acceptance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the information systems success model of quality factor as an analytical framework and extends it beyond the individual user experience (UX) to include an organization-level perspective. Interviews are conducted with relevant stakeholders for sociotechnical inquiries; a survey identifies user factors in IoMT.
Findings
The sociotechnical analysis sheds light on how IoMT has been accepted and stabilized in the healthcare sector. It shows the complex interaction between the social and technical aspects of IoMT by highlighting the co-evolution, interaction, and interface of devices that constitute the next-generation network environment. The UX model conceptualizes QoE specific to medical informatics.
Research limitations/implications
Given the sociotechnical nature of this investigation, another approach to adoption of IoMT innovations was worth investigating to determine effective integration.
Practical implications
IoMT needs to be meaningful if they are to be sustainable and they need to offer quality of services and QoE no matter the location or demographic in which they are used.
Originality/value
With a dual-level analysis, the study provides a comprehensive view of the IoMT development process by investigating the organizational dynamics, in addition to the UX, of IoMT. The results provide a basis for developing future IoMT services with QoE requirements, as well as for clarifying sociotechnical dynamics.
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The involvement of service users is extolled in National Service Frameworks and, in Wales, is one of seven standards set out in the National Service Framework for mental health…
Abstract
The involvement of service users is extolled in National Service Frameworks and, in Wales, is one of seven standards set out in the National Service Framework for mental health services. National Service Frameworks have an important role in the UK government’s performance management strategies. The strategies are retrospective in effect and offer insufficient help for service managers and others seeking to change and improve service performance. Draws on research conducted at intervals over the past four years in Swansea. In today’s devolved UK, the details will be different in Wales from elsewhere but the focus is on how a number of organisations with differing responsibilities can work together to manage performance improvement. Demonstrates that change requires leadership to be dispersed across organisational boundaries. Accountability and responsibility must be horizontal and even downwards, not just upwards to government. Service users can be involved in their own care. Surveys that involve service users in their planning stages can gather information about the service issues that matter to them. Managing performance is different from performance management. It can ultimately enable services users to initiate and direct some of the improvements they want to see and to take part in the processes of change. The information systems must be locally useful for all involved, and must offer information about performance in time to affect improvement and change.
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