Effective family involvement to improve patient wellbeing and safety
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How can family involvement in inpatient and crisis care contribute to improved patient wellbeing and safety?
IRAS ID
258144
Contact name
Lynne Macrae
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Previous research has underscored the importance of involving family members in patient’s mental healthcare. Involving family and friends in a patient’s care can improve patient outcomes, such as reducing the likelihood of relapse and hospital admissions. Family involvement also has important implications to patient safety. Suicide and self-harm are the key safety outcomes in mental health. Investigations into suicides and suicide attempts have highlighted the importance of effectively involving and communicating with family members (or close friends) in relation to patient’s mental healthcare. The evidence gained from the planned investigations aim to learn from what has gone wrong. To complement this, the current study will seek to understand both the instances where family involvement could be improved, but also the everyday occurrences where family involvement works well.
The main aim of this study is to examine how family involvement in a patient’s mental healthcare can effectively contribute to improved patient wellbeing and reduce their risks of self-harm and suicide. A focused ethnography will be conducted to understand family involvement in the care of patients accessing NHS inpatient psychiatric units and Crisis/Home Treatment teams. Focused ethnography refers to the use of ethnographic methods to focus on an identified issue within a specific setting, in contrast to a more traditional ethnographic approach which would involve broader exploration conducted across an entire community. Multiple methods of data collection will be used: i) review of organisational documents in relation to family involvement, ii) observations of interactions between patients, family members and healthcare professionals, iii) case note review in relation to family involvement, and iv) semi-structured interviews with patients, family members and healthcare professionals. Findings will contribute to the development of guidance to support mental health services in implementing effective family involvement.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0294
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion