Involving carers in risk assessment: a study of a structured dialogue between mental health nurses and carers

Jackson, Haley; Wray, Jane; Gardiner, Eric; Flanagan, Tracy

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2019. Background: Involving carers is a key priority in mental health services. Carers report the sharing of service users’ safety information by mental health nurses is problematic and seldom takes place. Aims: The impact of an intervention on consensus between nurses and carers on perceptions of risk was investigated. Methods: Carer–nurse risk consensus scores were measured pre- and post-introduction of a structured dialogue (paired t-test/ANOVA). Carer experience with involvement was surveyed pre-test (n = 60) and compared with the post-test intervention group (n = 32) (chi-square tests of linear-by-linear association). Results: Consensus and perceptions regarding type and severity of risk did not change significantly for carers or nurses after engaging in a structured dialogue. Statistically significant differences were found with carers reporting higher levels of satisfaction with services in four out of six areas surveyed. Conclusions: Findings provide support for increasing carer contribution to discussions regarding risk. Further work to embed carer involvement in clinical practice is warranted.

Citation

Jackson, H., Wray, J., Gardiner, E., & Flanagan, T. (2019). Involving carers in risk assessment: a study of a structured dialogue between mental health nurses and carers. Journal of research in nursing : JRN, 24(5), 330-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119851533

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 4, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Aug 8, 2019
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Mar 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 23, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Research in Nursing
• Print ISSN: 1744-9871
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 330-341
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119851533
• Keywords: Informal carers; Mental health; Nursing practice; Patient safety; Risk management
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1380920
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1744987119851533
• Contract Date: Apr 23, 2019