Shame and acute psychiatric inpatient care: healthcare professionals

Abstract

This qualitative research study convened focus groups to learn about situations that might provoke shame in people receiving mental health services and mental health professionals alike. The focus groups convened for mental health professionals were made up of psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists and mental health nurses – six men and eight women in total. Age ranges spanned from early 20 to 55; all had different lengths of service and experience. Ten people with experience of using mental health services also volunteered to take part in the focus groups – five men and five women with an age range of 30–63 years. Varied clinical diagnoses included schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, depression and personality disorder. Internationally, there are concerns for the quality of treatment and care offered to people with mental health problems and requiring hospital admission. There is also evidence to suggest that healthcare professionals can experience stigma and shame because of the complexities of their work. Information gained from the focus groups suggests that a better understanding of difficulties encountered by people in need of mental health services is possible. The study also permitted glimpses of the problems and distress faced by mental healthcare professionals because of moral dilemmas and challenges concerned with the overall nature of their chosen work. Although moderate in scope, this research study might help inform health and social policy research agendas along with professional education and training programmes. An awareness of the complexities in relation to ways in which shame is aroused in individuals and groups of people could contribute to improving the quality of care provided to communities.