This research project focuses on shared decision-making between service users and mental health practitioners in relation to psychiatric medication management in mental health services.

It aims to explore how a process of shared decision making between service users and clinicians about psychiatric medication can be developed to become part of everyday practice, and to evaluate the impact this way of joint working has on both groups.

Outline of the project

Funding

The project is funded by the NIHR (National Institute of Health Research), RfPB (Research for Patient Benefit) and has been adopted by the MHRN (mental health research national network). This is a three-year project based in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust.

Phase 1

In Phase 1 of the project we consulted with service users and mental health practitioners to find out about current practice in psychiatric medication management, their views about shared decision-making processes and to explore about making this more of a shared process. We then used this information and relevant literature to develop a new training programme designed to encourage shared decision-making processes.

Phase 2

In Phase 2 of the project this programme will be delivered to separate groups of service users, psychiatrists, community psychiatric nurses and care co-ordinators. We will evaluate the impact of this programme using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Aims

It is hoped that as a result of participation, service users will become increasingly involved in and better able to make informed decisions about their medication, that practitioners will understand service users' perspectives and concerns better, and that relationships between service users and professionals will improve.

The project has been developed and is being run by academic researchers, service users and practitioners. Findings will help to improve mental health services both locally and nationally in relation to the important issue of managing psychiatric medication.

Achievements to date

We are currently in phase two of the project. This phase involves delivering the programme to separate groups of service users, psychiatrists, community psychiatric nurses and care co-ordinators and evaluating its impact using quantitative and qualitative methods. So far we have delivered the training programme to two groups of CPFT service users, two groups of psychiatrists and two groups of care coordinators and are still recruiting for more. So far feedback has been positive, with service users and professionals alike learning a lot from the programmes' content.

Further Information

If you wish to learn more about the project you can contact the principle researcher Shula Ramon or research assistant Ben Perry. Alternatively you can visit our project website

Find out more:

• Service Users and Carers Forum
• Family and Community Studies Research page