The attitudes and practices of community managed mental health service staff in addressing physical health: Findings from a targetted online survey

Smoking prevalence amongst service users from the mental health and addictions sectors is higher than the general population. Cross-sectional web- or paper-based surveys comprising open and closed response options were used to examine changes in prevailing attitudes and practices amongst non-government mental health service staff and users. Thematic analysis was used to interpret and present open response answers. Multi-variate logistic models were used to investigate which factors are associated with smoke-free attitudes and practices. Staff who smoke were found to be less likely to provide cessation support to clients (AOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.82) and gave significantly lower estimates of the percentage of clients who wish to stop smoking (30% vs 44%, p < 0.0001). Those who had completed cessation training also had more positive views about the importance of providing cessation support and service user desire to stop smoking. Staff who had not completed cessation training had significantly lower odds of reporting they carried out quit smoking support often and routinely (AOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23–0.47) The results suggest that continuing improvement will be enabled by increasing rates of cessation training amongst staff of mental health and addictions non-government organisations. In addition, there is a need for increased incentive and support for staff who smoke to quit.

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New ways of working: COVID-19 as a catalyst for change in acute mental health services

BMJ Leader ◽

10.1136/leader-2020-000366 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. leader-2020-000366

Author(s):

Kezanne Tong ◽

Genevieve Crudden ◽

Wen Xi Tang ◽

David McGuinness ◽

Margaret O'Grady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Response Times ◽

New Ways Of Working ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Service Staff ◽

Alternative Settings ◽

Quality Response ◽

Spread Of Infection

BackgroundA need arose to divert patients with psychiatric complaints from the emergency department to alternative settings for psychiatric consultations to reduce footfall during COVID-19. We assessed the effectiveness of alternative referral pathway in reducing COVID-19 infection in our service and its effect on service quality: response time and number of patients leaving before the review. We evaluated the satisfaction of patients, general practitioners (GPs) and mental health service staff with the pathway.MethodsAll patients referred to the mental health service over a 2-month period following the introduction of the pathway were included. Findings were compared against the cohort referred for emergency assessment during the same period in 2019. Feedback surveys were distributed to patients, staff and GPs. χ2 and independent sample t-test were used to compare the variables.ResultsOver 2 months, 255 patients received an emergency assessment via the pathway, representing a 22.3% decrease in the volume of presentations from the same period in 2019. There were no COVID-19 cases among our patients or staff on the roster for assessing patients. In comparison to 2019, response times were improved (p<0.001), and the numbers of patients who left the hospital before the review were reduced by 3.2% during the study period (p<0.001). Patients and GPs were highly satisfied with the referral pathway and believed that the pathway should be retained post-COVID-19. Mental health service staff were divided in their opinions about its sustainability.ConclusionThe pathway was successful in reducing the spread of infection, improving response times and reducing the numbers of patients who left without an assessment. Given the improved outcomes and acceptability, this is a preferable pathway for emergency referrals into the future.

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The experience of learning from mental health service users and carers

The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice ◽

10.1108/jmhtep-06-2018-0036 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 119-130

Author(s):

Charlotte Wilson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Online Survey ◽

User Involvement ◽

Emotional Arousal ◽

Student Experiences ◽

Service Users ◽

Content Type ◽

Cognitive Experience

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore student experiences of learning from mental health service users and carers. Design/methodology/approach In total, 30 clinical psychology trainees and ex-trainees took part in an online survey (n=21) or focus group (n=9). Responses were analysed using interpretative thematic analysis. Findings A number of themes were identified. There were two pre-conditions of learning: valuing the teaching and emotional arousal. Participants’ learning experiences were characterised by cognitive and meta-cognitive processes: active learning, reflection, increased attention and vivid memories. Furthermore, participants might have a meta-cognitive experience of having learned something, but being unsure what that something was. Participants reported learning about the lives of service users, about themselves and about the wider societal context for people with mental health difficulties. Practical implications In order to facilitate learning students should value the input of service users. This allows them to contain and use the emotional arousal the teaching produces. Furthermore, leaving students with a feeling that something has been learned but not being exactly sure what that has been may facilitate students seeking out further opportunities for service user involvement. Originality/value Few studies have explored the process of learning from mental health service users and carers. In the current study, the emotion aroused in participants was primary. Furthermore, a new meta-cognitive experience, namely, the experience of having learned something, but not being sure what has been learned, has been identified.

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The Boundary-Spanning Approach to Supervising Health and Mental Health Service Staff

Supervision as Collaboration in the Human Services: Building a Learning Culture ◽

10.4135/9781483328829.n26 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 310-322

Author(s):

Toba Schwaber Kerson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Boundary Spanning ◽

Service Staff

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What utility scores do mental health service users, healthcare professionals and members of the general public attribute to different health states? A co-produced mixed methods online survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0205223 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. e0205223 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chris Flood ◽

Sally Barlow ◽

Alan Simpson ◽

Amanda Burls ◽

Amy Price ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

General Public ◽

Online Survey ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Service Users ◽

Health States ◽

Utility Scores

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Changing health workforce attitudes to promote improved physical health in mental health service users: Keeping our Staff in Mind (KoSiM)

Health Promotion Journal of Australia ◽

10.1002/hpja.320 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 447-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Simon Rosenbaum ◽

Philip B. Ward ◽

Rishi Baldeo ◽

Hamish Fibbins ◽

Rebecca Jarman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Physical Health ◽

Health Workforce ◽

Service Users

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Attitudes towards seclusion and restraint in mental health settings: findings from a large, community-based survey of consumers, carers and mental health professionals

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796016000585 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 535-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

S. A. Kinner ◽

C. Harvey ◽

B. Hamilton ◽

L. Brophy ◽

C. Roper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Human Rights ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Service Providers ◽

Consumer Safety ◽

Mental Health Settings

Aims.There are growing calls to reduce, and where possible eliminate, the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health settings, but the attitudes and beliefs of consumers, carers and mental health professionals towards these practices are not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the attitudes of mental health service consumers, carers and mental health professionals towards seclusion and restraint in mental health settings. In particular, it aimed to explore beliefs regarding whether elimination of seclusion and restraint was desirable and possible.Methods.In 2014, an online survey was developed and widely advertised in Australia via the National Mental Health Commission and through mental health networks. The survey adopted a mixed-methods design, including both quantitative and qualitative questions concerning participants’ demographic details, the use of seclusion and restraint in practice and their views on strategies for reducing and eliminating these practices.Results.In total 1150 survey responses were analysed. A large majority of participants believed that seclusion and restraint practices were likely to cause harm, breach human rights, compromise trust and potentially cause or trigger past trauma. Consumers were more likely than professionals to view these practices as harmful. The vast majority of participants believed that it was both desirable and feasible to eliminate mechanical restraint. Many participants, particularly professionals, believed that seclusion and some forms of restraint were likely to produce some benefits, including increasing consumer safety, increasing the safety of staff and others and setting behavioural boundaries.Conclusions.There was strong agreement across participant groups that the use of seclusion and restraint is harmful, breaches human rights and compromises the therapeutic relationship and trust between mental health service providers and those who experience these restrictive practices. However, some benefits were also identified, particularly by professionals. Participants had mixed views regarding the feasibility and desirability of eliminating these practices.

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