Developing and testing a tool to measure Therapeutic Engagement (TE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study to establish the psychometric properties of a newly developed tool measuring therapeutic engagement (TE) from the perspectives of both registered mental health nurses and service users.
IRAS ID
124115
Contact name
Mary Chambers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kingston University and St.George's University of London
Research summary
Therapeutic Engagement (TE) is at the core of Mental Health Nursing (MHN) as recognised since the work of Peplau in 1952. Evidence suggests that TE has benefits(Nesset et. al., 2009; Gamble et. al. 2010). What has been missing is the ability to measure the nature, effectiveness and impact on service user (SU) experience as viewed by them and mental health nurses (MHNs). A number of tools exist for use in community mental healthcare settings but none appropriate for measuring TE within acute inpatient care. This project will pilot-test a developed nurse and service user sensitive indicator (questionnaire) that measures TE and provides quantifiable data for statistical analysis.
The tool, developed in partnership with SUs, MHNs and nurse academics incorporates elements of the ‘6Cs’ of nursing (Department of Health, NHS Commissioning Board, London, 2012). Nursing needs to make a difference and our healthcare system should provide for basic human needs with care and compassion.
Two variations of the tool have been developed; one for use by SUs, the other for registered MHNs. The tool will assist in: (1) recognising and quantifying nursing activity and therapeutic interactions (2) identifying the level of engagement of SUs in the monitoring and enhancement of their treatment and care.
The aim of the study is to pilot-test the questionnaires. These will be easy to use, psychometrically sound and measure TE within adult acute inpatient mental healthcare settings.
The questionnaires will break new ground: 1) they will identify and quantify the nature and impact of TE between MHNs and SUs, 2) they have been developed in partnership with SUs, MHNs and nurse academics, 3) they will be of national and international interest by making more explicit and visible the skills and value of MHNs; something which Brown and Fowler identified as lacking as far back as 1979.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0469
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jan 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion