Mental Health Care Institutions Research Articles

Experiences of adolescents and parents on the mental health management of depression in adolescents, North West province, South Africa.

BackgroundLiving with or managing an adolescent suffering from depression predisposes the adolescent and parents to various experiences, considering the multifactorial nature of depression and associated symptoms.ObjectiveThis study explored and described the experiences of adolescents and their parents on the mental health management of depression in the North West province (NWP), South Africa.MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, contextual research design was adopted. Data was collect from two mental health care institutions and two mental health care units attached to two general hospitals in the NWP, SA. Thirty-two participants (18 adolescents and 14 parents) were purposefully selected for the study. Data were collected through individual interviews and analysed using Tesch’s open-coding method to generate themes and categories which were presented with the concurrent support of participants direct quotations.ResultsThe study revealed that the experiences of adolescents with depression and their parents taking care of them at homes include the following: emotional distress, poor coping mechanisms, financial burden, repeated suicidal attempts, negative attitudes from support systems and withdrawal behaviours. Appropriate therapeutic environments, ongoing monitoring by mental healthcare practitioners and adequate support systems were suggested by participants as management approaches that could enhance the recovery of adolescents from depression.ConclusionThe findings revealed the devastating experiences of adolescents with depression and their parents taking care of them in their various homes which confirms the dire need for attention on the plights of these groups in order to facilitate adolescents’ recovery and strengthen the adolescents’ and parents’ coping mechanisms for a healthier family.

The Forensic High and Intensive Care Monitor: Measurement Properties of a Model Fidelity Scale for Contact-Based Care in Forensic Psychiatry

Forensic High and Intensive Care (FHIC) has recently been developed as a new care model in Dutch forensic psychiatry. FHIC aims to provide contact-based care. To support Dutch forensic care institutions in the implementation of the model, a model fidelity scale was developed called the FHIC monitor. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability, content validity, and construct validity of the FHIC monitor. A multi-methods design was used, combining qualitative and quantitative research. To collect data, audits and focus group meetings were organized to score care at individual wards with the monitor and get feedback from auditors and audit receiving teams about the quality of the monitor. In total, fifteen forensic mental healthcare institutions participated. The instrument showed acceptable inter-rater reliability and content validity, and a significant difference between expected high and low scoring institutions, supporting construct validity. The instrument can be used as a valid instrument to measure the level of implementation of the FHIC model on forensic psychiatric wards in the Netherlands.

Sensory Processing, Perceived Stress and Burnout Symptoms in a Working Population during the COVID-19 Crisis

Although previous research suggests an association between sensory processing and perceived stress in a broad spectrum of mental health conditions, it remains unclear whether this phenomenon occurs independently from psychopathology. The present study investigated the association between sensory processing patterns, perceived stress and occupational burnout as a stress-related condition in a working population. We focused on different aspects of sensory processing and used the momentum of a particularly stressful period: during the first months of the global COVID-19 crisis. A total of 116 workers at a mental healthcare institution in The Netherlands completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). Our results demonstrated that higher scores on sensory sensitivity and low registration were associated with higher scores on perceived stress and core burnout symptoms. Sensory hypersensitivity was also associated with more secondary burnout symptoms. Associations were not driven by underlying sensory-related disorders (e.g., ASD or ADHD). In conclusion, sensory processing difficulties are relevant predictors of stress and occupational burnout, also in healthy employees. This phenomenon warrants further attention, as relatively simple adjustments in working environment may possess important preventive effects.

Substantial Impact of COVID-19 on Self-Reported Mental Health of Healthcare Professionals in the Netherlands.

Initially, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a continued pressure on professionals working in hospitals due to the increase of affected patients. At the moment, the pandemic continues but thanks to all kinds of measures (e.g., social distancing) workload seems to decrease at the hospitals. On the contrary, patients with long-lasting symptoms due to COVID-19 infection or the pandemic begin to merge at the mental healthcare institutions in the Netherlands but this also holds true for other countries. Furthermore, healthcare professionals are affected by safety measures such as working from home, which led to an increased feeling of stress and may have led to a misbalance in work and private life. As a result, the question whether healthcare employees in mental healthcare experience impaired mental health remains unclear and chances are fair that mental health problems such as exhaustion and burnout may be prevalent. This study describes an online survey in which mental health amongst mental healthcare professionals is investigated. About 1,300 professionals from a large number of mental healthcare institutions replied the survey. Around 50% of the respondents experienced increased levels of stress. Feelings of anxiety, anger, and sadness were also increasingly experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, 4.2% replied that they were considering resigning their jobs which is alarming considering the shortage of healthcare professionals in mental healthcare institutions. The results support the importance of treatment or support of professionals in mental healthcare that experience psychological ailments.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their families: a mixed-methods study protocol

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for everyone, particularly for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disorder characterised by limitations in social communication, repetitive...

Subjective Medication Satisfaction With Antipsychotic Polypharmacy in a Naturalistic Inpatient and Outpatient Sample.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine satisfaction with pharmacologic treatment in patients who received antipsychotic polypharmacy compared to antipsychotic monotherapy. Methods: This longitudinal cohort study was conducted in two mental health care institutes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, among a randomly selected sample of in- and outpatients with a severe mental illness. Analyses were performed on data collected in 2011 for 185 patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or unspecified psychosis according to DSM-IV criteria. The outcome measure was the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication, version II. One-way analyses of covariance were performed to examine differences in treatment satisfaction between patients who received antipsychotic polypharmacy compared to antipsychotic monotherapy while controlling for the effects of clozapine, antipsychotic dose, and use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics. Results: Twenty percent of patients in this sample received 2 antipsychotic agents; in half of those patients, this involved a combination with clozapine. Polypharmacy resulted in less satisfaction with side effects compared to monotherapy (P = .002). No difference was found in perceived effectiveness (P = .168) or overall medication satisfaction (P = .379). Conclusions: These results confirm that antipsychotic polypharmacy is common in a random in- and outpatient sample. Patients who receive 2 antipsychotic agents are just as positive about the effectiveness and ease of use of and overall satisfaction with their medication compared to those who receive antipsychotic monotherapy. They are, however, less satisfied with perceived side effects of their medication, which may indicate that side effect profiles of antipsychotic combinations are less favorable.

Experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses regarding the need for prescriptive authority in KwaZulu-Natal

BackgroundNurse prescribing has become a global and transformational practice to ensure the achieving of optimal health outcomes, including advanced psychiatric nurses. Despite the transformational practice globally, South Africa seems to lag behind because nurses do not have permission to prescribe medication.AimTo describe the experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses regarding the need to prescribe medication treatment in KwaZulu-Natal.SettingThe study took place in three mental healthcare institutions in KwaZulu-Natal in inpatient units.MethodThe qualitative, descriptive design was used to collect the experiences of advanced psychiatric nurses in KwaZulu-Natal regarding the need for prescriptive authority. Six focus group interviews were conducted to gather information. The seven steps of Colaizzi’s method were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe study found two primary themes and two sub-themes. The findings highlighted the necessity for advanced psychiatric nurse role recognition and prescribing. Insufficient use of skilled psychiatric nurses caused delays in addressing mental health patients in emergencies.ConclusionThe two themes, prescribing role of advanced psychiatric nurses and role recognition, revealed that granting advanced psychiatric nurses’ autonomy to prescribe remained a challenge. Advanced psychiatric nurses are expected to provide high-quality care, but they are limited in their abilities. Because advanced psychiatric nurses are not used to prescribe in KwaZulu-Natal, they rely on psychiatrists to manage psychotic patients.ContributionThe evaluation of policies and procedures that guide advanced psychiatric nurses in prescribing psychotropic medications.

Systematic Evaluation of Two Years of Ethics Reflection Groups. Changes Over Time Regarding Employees’ Attitudes, User Involvement, Team Cooperation and the Handling of Disagreement

"Background: Ethics reflection groups (ERG) or moral case deliberations (MCD) are increasingly used in health care as a form of clinical ethics support (CES). ERGs are often evaluated with a focus on evaluating ERG itself yet not on the impact of or change due to ERGs. Within a larger study implementation and impact of ERG was studied with use of various qualitative and qualitative research methodologies. In this presentation we present findings of the quantitative research. Research question: Are there changes over time after two years of ERG regarding employees’ normative attitudes with respect to the use of coercion, user involvement during the use of coercion, team cooperation and the handling of disagreement? Research methods: Repeated cross-sectional survey at seven wards within three different Norwegian mental health care institutions (T0-T1-T2). Results: In total, 817 surveys were included in the analyses. Of these, only 7.6 % (N= 62) have responded at all three points in time, while 76.8 % (N= 628) responded only once. Over time, adjusted for ward and profession, respondents agreed less that coercion is a form of care or security. Furthermore, respondents thought they involved patients and their family significantly more often in situations of coercion and they reported that the constructive of disagreement within the team significantly improved. More frequent ERG participation seemed associated with a more critical attitude towards the use of coercion and higher scores for user involvement, team cooperation and the constructive handling of disagreement, yet differences between ERG participation were generally small in absolute terms. Conclusion: Structural participation in ERG seems to contribute to changes in attitudes, user involvement and team cooperation. Studying changes over time and trying to find a relationship between CES interventions and outcome is difficult yet important and need to be further developed in future CES evaluation research. "

Payment schemes and treatment responses after a demand shock in mental health care.

We study whether two groups of mental health care providers—each paid according to a different payment scheme—adjusted the duration of their patients' treatments after they faced an exogenous 20% drop in the number of patients. For the first group of providers, self‐employed providers, we find that they did not increase treatment duration to recoup their income loss. Treatment duration thresholds in the stepwise fee‐for‐service payment function seem to have prevented these providers to treat patients longer. For the second group of providers, large mental health care institutions who were subject to a budget constraint, we find an average increase in treatment duration of 8%. Prior rationing combined with professional uncertainty can explain this increase. We find suggestive evidence for overtreatment of patients as the longer treatments did not result in better patient outcomes, i.e. better General Assessment of Functioning scores.

Perceptions of mental health nurses about psychosocial management of depression in adolescents, North West province, South Africa

BackgroundDepression in adolescents is a multifactorial global public health concern, with devastating consequences on the sufferer. The prevalence of depression amongst this age group is on the rise, and thus there is the need for greater attention.AimTo explore and describe the perceptions of mental health nurses regarding the psychosocial management of depression in adolescents in North West province, South Africa.SettingThe study was conducted in two mental healthcare institutions and two mental healthcare units within two general hospitals in North West province, South Africa.MethodA qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used in conducting this study. Data were collected through focus group discussions from four groups of mental health nurses from each of the mental healthcare institutions and mental healthcare units with 18 mental health nurses. Data were analysed using Tesch’s open coding method.ResultsTwo themes emerged from the study: comprehensive psychosocial management and involvement of different stakeholders.ConclusionThe findings revealed clear psychosocial management for depression in adolescents. Adopting the findings of this study could improve depressive symptoms and curtail the prevalence of depression amongst adolescents in the North West province, South Africa.

The D*Phase-study: study protocol for a pragmatic two-phased, randomised controlled (non-inferiority) trial\xa0that addresses treatment\xa0non-response and\xa0compares cognitive behavioural therapy and short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy for major depression

BackgroundSeveral evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment options are available for depression, but the treatment results could be improved. The D*Phase study directly compares short-term psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (SPSP) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The objectives are 1. to investigate if, from a group level perspective, SPSP is not inferior to CBT in the treatment of major depressive disorder, 2. to build a model that may help predict the optimal type of treatment for a specific individual; and 3. to determine whether a change of therapist or a change of therapist and treatment method are effective strategies to deal with non-response. Furthermore (4.), the effect of the therapeutic alliance, treatment integrity and therapist allegiance on treatment outcome will be investigated.MethodIn this pragmatic randomised controlled trial, 308 patients with a primary diagnosis of MDD are being recruited from a specialised mental health care institution in the Netherlands. In the first phase, patients are randomised 1:1 to either SPSP or CBT. In case of treatment non-response, a second phase follows in which non-responders from treatment phase one are randomised 1:1:1 to one of three groups: continuing the initial treatment with the same therapist, continuing the initial treatment with another therapist or continuing the other type of treatment with another therapist. In both treatment phases, patients are offered sixteen twice-weekly psychotherapy sessions. The primary outcome is an improvement in depressive symptoms. Process variables, working alliance and depressive symptoms, are frequently measured. Comprehensive assessments take place before the start of the first phase (at baseline), in week one, two and four during the treatment, and directly after the treatment (week eight).DiscussionWhile the naturalistic setting of the study involves several challenges, we expect, by focusing on a large and diverse number of research variables, to generate important knowledge that may help enhance the effect of psychotherapeutic treatment for MDD.Trial registrationThe study was registered on 26 August 2016 with the Netherlands Trial Register, part of the Dutch Cochrane Centre (NL5753), https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5753

Online psychotherapy in times of COVID-19: professional’s experience

IntroductionThe global pandemic of corona virus has brought on the imperative of swift organisational changes within mental health care institutions. Outpatient psychiatric care system with all its complex features was organized online. Patient’s adjustment to different modality of treatment, and their benefit, was of our primary concern. Mental health professionals had many challenges in this process as well. Couple of months into providing this form of treatment, we were interested in therapist experience.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to highlight challenges faced by the various mental health professionals that were a part of interdisciplinary team at University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče.MethodsWe used self-assessment scales to assess mental health professionals experience and to recognize some of the possible difficulties in this process. We have examined satisfaction with available technology, suitability of different psychotherapeutic background when providing online treatment, therapists competencies for this kind of treatment and levels of perceived stress. Mental health treatment comprised individual and group approach, and was provided by interdisciplinary teams of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers, social pedagogues, psychiatric nurses, and work therapists.ResultsThe results show differences between professional’s psychotherapy background, educational level and previous experience in perceived efficiency and experienced stress in the process of providing online treatment.ConclusionsThe findings of this study have proven that professionals perceive technical, organisational standards, previous experience, and education to be important for their efficiency. This should be taken into account when developing standards in online treatment within mental health institutions.Conflict of interestNo significant relationships.

Implementation of High and Intensive Care (HIC) in the Netherlands: a Process Evaluation

The High and Intensive Care model (HIC) was developed to reduce coercion and improve the quality of acute mental health care in the Netherlands. This study aimed to identify drivers of change which motivate professionals and management to implement HIC, and to identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation process. 41 interviews were conducted with multiple disciplines on 29 closed acute admission wards for adult psychiatric patients of 21 mental healthcare institutions in the Netherlands. The interviews were analysed by means of thematic analysis, consisting of the steps of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Findings reveal three major drivers of change: the combination of existing interventions in one overall approach to reduce coercion, the focus on contact and cooperation and the alignment with recovery oriented care. Facilitators to implementation of HIC were leadership, involving staff, making choices about what to implement first, using positive feedback and celebrating successes, training and reflection, and providing operationalizable goals. Barriers included the lack of formal organizational support, resistance to change, shortage of staff and use of flex workers, time restraints and costs, lack of knowledge, lack of facilities, and envisaged shortcomings of the HIC standards. Drivers of change motivate staff to implement HIC. In the process of implementation, attention to facilitators and barriers on the level of culture, structure and practice is needed.

Toxic Parents, Addictions, and Institutional Psychotherapy

This article discusses the connection between the compulsive use of toxic substances and the shortcomings of the family environment. It provides a detailed account of the author's experience with an adult patient in a psychoanalytically oriented mental health care institution in France and argues that drug abuse can be conceived as a self‐calming strategy and an effort to be without the other. The coexistence of neurotic and psychotic mechanisms in the patient's mental function is highlighted and discussed in the light of structural psychopathology. Finally, French institutional psychotherapy, as a dynamic and tolerant form of psychiatry that emphasizes multi‐transference in response to the split‐off elements of the psychotic ego, highlights the pertinence of treating psychotic drug addiction in a pluralistic framework.

Care needs and care consumption in psychosis: a 4-year longitudinal analysis of guideline concordant care

Abstract Aims People with psychotic disorders receive mental healthcare services mainly for their psychiatric care needs. However, patients often experience multiple physical or social wellbeing-related care needs as well. This study aims to identify care needs, investigate their changes over time and examine their association with mental healthcare consumption and evidence-based pharmacotherapy. Methods This study combined annually obtained routine outcome monitoring (ROM) data with care consumption data of people with a long-term psychotic illness receiving treatment in four Dutch mental healthcare institutes between 2012 and 2016. Existing treatment algorithms were used to determine psychiatric, physical and social wellbeing-related care needs based on self-report questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and physical parameters. Care consumption was measured in hours of outpatient mental healthcare consumption per year. Generalised estimating equation models were used to calculate odds ratios of care needs and their associations with time, mental healthcare consumption and medication use. Results Participants (n = 2054) had on average 7.4 care needs per measurement and received 25.4 h of care per year. Physical care needs are most prevalent and persistent and people with more care needs receive more mental healthcare. Care needs for psychotic symptoms and most social wellbeing-related care needs decreased, whereas the chance of being overweight significantly increased with subsequent years of care. Several positive associations were found between care needs and mental healthcare consumption as well as positive relations between care needs and evidence-based pharmacotherapy. Conclusions This longitudinal study present a novel approach in identifying care needs and their association with mental healthcare consumption and pharmacotherapy. Identification of care needs in this way based on ROM can assist daily clinical practice. A recovery-oriented view and a well-coordinated collaboration between clinicians and general practitioners together with shared decisions about which care needs to treat, can improve treatment delivery. Special attention is required for improving physical health in psychosis care which, despite appropriate pharmacotherapy and increasing care consumption, remains troublesome.

Young Patients With Persistent and Complex Care Needs Require an Integrated Care Approach: Baseline Findings From the Multicenter Youth Flexible ACT Study.

Background: The Multicenter Youth Flexible ACT Study is an ongoing observational prospective cohort study that examines the effects of Youth Flexible ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) on young people with complex care needs who are difficult to engage in traditional (office-based) mental health services. However, a clear and detailed description of this patient group is lacking. In the current paper, we present baseline characteristics and psychosocial outcomes of the Youth Flexible ACT target group and explore the existence of underlying specific patient subgroups.Methods: Sixteen Youth Flexible ACT teams from seven mental healthcare institutes in the Netherlands participated in the study. Research participants were monitored for 18 months and administered questionnaires measuring psychiatric- and social functioning every 6 months, yielding four measurements. Baseline data were obtained from 199 adolescents, their mental health workers, and parents/carers. Latent Class Analysis based on HoNOSCA scores (measuring psychosocial and daily functioning) was conducted to identify underlying subgroups.Results: The target group of Youth Flexible ACT mainly consisted of patients older than 15 years of age with a history of (specialized) mental healthcare. They face many complex problems, including trauma; developmental, mood, and anxiety disorders; and problems with school attendance, family life, and peer relationships. Other frequently reported difficulties were substance misuse, the involvement of the legal system or police, problems with intellectual functioning, and personal finance. Patients were classified into four distinct classes: the “internalizing,” “externalizing,” “non-specific,” and the “overly impulsive” subgroup. Each subgroup had its unique pattern of difficulties and focus, respectively, high levels of depression and anxiety, disruptive behavior, unspecific difficulties, and substance misuse.Conclusions: As expected, patients in Youth Flexible ACT experienced many severe problems, rendering them vulnerable to fragmented and, thus, ineffective care. Our findings underscore the need for an integrated care approach with a multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals that can bridge these wide-ranging psychosocial problems, as each class of participants experienced a different set of difficulties. Youth Flexible ACT teams need to adjust their care services accordingly.

Regional Supervision of Healthcare Institutions With a Focus on Antimicrobial Resistance

Background: Resistance to antibiotic drugs, also called antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to (public) health. Surveillance reports throughout the world show that formation and spread of highly resistant microorganisms (HRMOs) continues to be substantial. In The Netherlands, 10 regional collaborative networks on AMR have been established among healthcare institutions to mitigate the existing risks concerning HRMO by collaborative actions in antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention. Objective: We sought to determine whether the healthcare institutions in one of the regional collaborative networks in The Netherlands contribute adequately to reducing the risks of formation and/or spread of HRMO. Methods: The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate in The Netherlands visited 37 institutions in the region of Limburg (the southern province). The following healthcare sectors were included: hospitals (n = 5), rehabilitation clinics (n = 2), long-term care facilities (n = 5), homecare institutions (n = 4), mental healthcare institutions (n = 2), dental care clinics (n = 4), general practitioners (GPs; n = 10), municipal health services (n = 2) and healthcare facilities for mentally disabled people (n = 3). In each visit, 5 topics were addressed: antibiotic policy, infection prevention, information transfer, governance and collaboration in the region. Results and Conclusions: In general, the healthcare institutions had an adequate to good score. Good results were seen in antibiotic policy (ie, the use of diagnostic tools to avoid the use of antibiotics); information transfer among GPs and in homecare institutions; and infection prevention in homecare institutions and dental care clinics. Exceptions with inadequate scores were observed in several areas: absence of prescription guidance specifically for antibiotics in various sectors; infection prevention among GPs, and dental care clinics. In 4 cases (ie, 3 GPs and 1 dental care clinic), we stopped using the autoclave because of lack of proof of proper maintenance.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Severe mental illness and palliative care: patient semistructured interviews

ObjectivesTo explore perceptions, experiences and expectations with respect to palliative care of patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and an incurable, life-limiting chronic illness.MethodsFace-to-face semistructured interviews were conducted with 12...

Working conditions in a mental health institution: An exploratory study of professional nurses in Limpopo province, South Africa.

BackgroundProfessional nurses are responsible for the provision of care, treatment and rehabilitation of all mental healthcare users (MHCUs) in the institutions for mental healthcare. However, professional nurses find themselves in difficult circumstances under which they must provide quality healthcare services to MHCUs.ObjectivesThe study explored and described the challenges experienced by the professional nurses working in a mental healthcare institution in Limpopo province of South Africa.MethodA qualitative approach was used to explore and describe the challenges faced by professional nurses working in a mental healthcare institution. The study was conducted from July 2016 to December 2016. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. Data were obtained through individual in-depth interviews with professional nurses between the ages of 26 and 50 years. Data collection continued until data saturation, which occurred after interviewing 18 participants. Tech’s open coding method was used to analyse data in this study.ResultsFour themes emerged from data analysis, namely: inadequate safety measures, inadequate resources, impact of high workload and shortage of staff. The themes were further sub-divided into sub-themes.ConclusionThe study revealed several challenges that professional nurses face in mental healthcare institutions which might be a barrier to the provision of quality healthcare. Conducive working environments should be established to enable professional health nurses to provide quality nursing care, thereby promoting the health of MHCUs.

Challenges Faced by Mental Health Nurse Specialists in North West, South Africa

This article reports on a study that sought to explore and describe the challenges faced by mental health nurse specialists in North West (NW), South Africa, using a qualitative research design. The study population comprised all mental health nurse specialists working in public mental health care institutions in NW. A non-probability expert sampling method was used to identify mental health nurse specialists for voluntary participation. The sample size was determined when data saturation was reached after interviewing seven mental health nurse specialists working in the province. Data analysis was done independently by both the researcher and the co-coder. Credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability were observed to ensure trustworthiness. Three themes emerged from the study, namely: (1) challenges affecting mental health nurse specialists directly; (2) challenges directly influenced by the government; as well as (3) suggestions to support mental health nurse specialists. Recommendations were derived and proffered to support mental health nurse specialists in NW.