The role of psychology in a multidisciplinary psychiatric inpatient setting: Perspective from the multidisciplinary team.

Abstract

Psychologists routinely work in psychiatric inpatient settings and it is acknowledged that they cannot work in isolation from the multidisciplinary team. The aim of this study was to examine the multidisciplinary team's perspective on the role of psychology within the acute psychiatric inpatient setting. A qualitative approach was taken utilizing semi-structured interviews for data collection. Interviews were undertaken with 12 multidisciplinary team members (occupational therapists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, and clinical managers) examining their perspectives on the role of psychology within the acute psychiatric inpatient setting. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. The analysis identified two key themes 'psychological treatments', which describes the perceived function of psychology on the ward, and 'integrated psychological working' outlining key issues that psychologists should consider when working in multidisciplinary teams. Psychology is seen by multidisciplinary team members as an integral, but not first line, treatment option in the psychiatric inpatient setting. Both direct work and indirect work were valued by multidisciplinary staff participants. The multidisciplinary team do not have a clear understanding of the role of psychology. Education dialogue about the role are required. The role of psychology in the psychiatric inpatient setting is valued by the multidisciplinary team. Psychology was not viewed as a first-line treatment option in the psychiatric inpatient setting but an 'add-on' to medical treatment. Psychology was a valued source of support for skilling-up and offering reflective space to the multidisciplinary team. Psychologists need to better promote their role and their skills to the multidisciplinary team.