TY - JOUR
T1 - Lived experiences: A focus group pilot study within the MentALLY project of mental healthcare among European users
AU - Axelsson, Malin
AU - Schønning, Viktor
AU - Schønning, Viktor
AU - Bockting, Claudi
AU - Buysse, Ann
AU - Desmet, Mattias
AU - Dewaele, Alexis
AU - Giovazolias, Theodoros
AU - Hannon, Dewi
AU - Kafetsios, Konstantinos
AU - Meganck, Reitske
AU - Ntani, Spyridoula
AU - Rutten, Kris
AU - Triliva, Sofia
AU - van Beveren, Laura
AU - Vandamme, Joke
AU - Øverland, Simon
AU - Øverland, Simon
AU - Hensing, Gunnel
PY - 2020/7/1
Y1 - 2020/7/1
N2 - Background: Mental healthcare is an important component in societies' response to mental health problems. Although the World Health Organization highlights availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of healthcare as important cornerstones, many Europeans lack access to mental healthcare of high quality. Qualitative studies exploring mental healthcare from the perspective of people with lived experiences would add to previous research and knowledge by enabling in-depth understanding of mental healthcare users, which may be of significance for the development of mental healthcare. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to describe experiences of mental healthcare among adult Europeans with mental health problems. Method: In total, 50 participants with experiences of various mental health problems were recruited for separate focus group interviews in each country. They had experiences from both the private and public sectors, and with in- and outpatient mental healthcare. The focus group interviews (N = 7) were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five themes and 13 subthemes. Results: The theme Seeking and trying to find help contained three subthemes describing personal thresholds for seeking professional help, not knowing where to get help, and the importance of receiving help promptly. The theme Awaiting assessment and treatment contained two subthemes including feelings of being prioritized or not and feelings of being abandoned during the often-lengthy referral process. The theme Treatment: a plan with individual parts contained three subthemes consisting of demands for tailored treatment plans in combination with medications and human resources and agreement on treatment. The theme Continuous and respectful care relationship contained two subthemes describing the importance of continuous care relationships characterised by empathy and respect. The theme Suggestions for improvements contained three subthemes highlighting an urge to facilitate care contacts and to increase awareness of mental health problems and a wish to be seen as an individual with potential. Conclusion: Facilitating contacts with mental healthcare, a steady contact during the referral process, tailored treatment and empathy and respect are important aspects in efforts to improve mental healthcare. Recommendations included development of collaborative practices between stakeholders in order to increase general societal awareness of mental health problems.
AB - Background: Mental healthcare is an important component in societies' response to mental health problems. Although the World Health Organization highlights availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of healthcare as important cornerstones, many Europeans lack access to mental healthcare of high quality. Qualitative studies exploring mental healthcare from the perspective of people with lived experiences would add to previous research and knowledge by enabling in-depth understanding of mental healthcare users, which may be of significance for the development of mental healthcare. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to describe experiences of mental healthcare among adult Europeans with mental health problems. Method: In total, 50 participants with experiences of various mental health problems were recruited for separate focus group interviews in each country. They had experiences from both the private and public sectors, and with in- and outpatient mental healthcare. The focus group interviews (N = 7) were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five themes and 13 subthemes. Results: The theme Seeking and trying to find help contained three subthemes describing personal thresholds for seeking professional help, not knowing where to get help, and the importance of receiving help promptly. The theme Awaiting assessment and treatment contained two subthemes including feelings of being prioritized or not and feelings of being abandoned during the often-lengthy referral process. The theme Treatment: a plan with individual parts contained three subthemes consisting of demands for tailored treatment plans in combination with medications and human resources and agreement on treatment. The theme Continuous and respectful care relationship contained two subthemes describing the importance of continuous care relationships characterised by empathy and respect. The theme Suggestions for improvements contained three subthemes highlighting an urge to facilitate care contacts and to increase awareness of mental health problems and a wish to be seen as an individual with potential. Conclusion: Facilitating contacts with mental healthcare, a steady contact during the referral process, tailored treatment and empathy and respect are important aspects in efforts to improve mental healthcare. Recommendations included development of collaborative practices between stakeholders in order to increase general societal awareness of mental health problems.
KW - Access
KW - Clients
KW - Collaboration
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Lived experiences
KW - Mental health literacy
KW - Patients
KW - Referral
KW - Service-users
KW - Stigma
KW - Treatment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087443265&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05454-5
DO - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05454-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 32611345
SN - 1472-6963
VL - 20
JO - BMC Health Services Research
JF - BMC Health Services Research
IS - 1
M1 - 605
ER -