Older adult service user experiences of the CPA review process
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Service user experiences of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) review process within an older adult Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
IRAS ID
131340
Contact name
Kay Brewster
Contact email
Research summary
The current study aims to explore the experiences of older adult service users of the Care Programme Approach (CPA) review process; within a community mental health service. The Care Programme Approach was introduced for all mental health service users in 1991, with the aim of putting each individual at the centre of their care so as to promote recovery. Although research has clearly demonstrated the positive benefits of the CPA model for service users, there is still inconsistency in the extent to which mental health services involve service users directly in their care.
It has also been suggested that older adult service users may experience particular difficulties in communicating their needs or feelings to their care team, as they are more likely to have experienced a medical model of care in which healthcare professionals are seen as experts and not to be challenged. The CPA review process consists of a regular meeting between the service user and all professionals involved in their care. It is supposed to be an opportunity for the service user to ask questions of their care team, and for future treatment to be discussed openly. It is apparent that there is much variation in how these meetings are conducted between services, and limited guidance or policy exists around this aspect of the CPA process. The current study will produce specific recommendations for ways in which the CPA review process within the older adult service may be adapted in future to enable service user involvement and collaboration, and thus promote recovery. Participants will be recruited from within one older adult community mental health team via their care coordinators and a recruitment poster at the treatment base. Once consent has been obtained, participants will be invited to a one-off audio-recorded interview, lasting up to one hour.REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0630
Date of REC Opinion
17 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion