Attitudes towards offenders with mental health problems scaleGlendinning, Anna Louise; O'Keeffe, Ciaran
2015 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice
doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2014-0023
Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to suggest that there was a need for a psychometric measure to assess attitudes specifically towards offenders with mental health problems. The “Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill” scale (CAMI; Taylor and Dear, 1981) was adapted to create a new psychometric measure; the “Police and Community Attitudes towards Offenders with Mental Illness” scale (PACAMI-O). Design/methodology/approach– A sample of police and community participants (n=178) completed this scale through the online surveying system, Psychdata. The new psychometric measure utilised the same 40 items featured in the CAMI; although, the wording was adapted. Findings– The internal reliability for the combined sample was high (α=0.929), which implied very good internal reliability. An exploratory factor analysis identified four new factors: Self-Preservation, Societal Reservation, Mental Health Awareness and Treatment Ideology. A t-test revealed there was a significant difference between the scores of the police and community sample, with the effect size depicting a large magnitude between the means (t(176)=p=0.019, η2=0.16). Practical implications– The PACAMI-O scale appears adequate for measuring attitudes towards its targeted sample and has shown utility with; a professional group (police officers and custody sergeants) who potentially face such offenders (primarily in the context of using Section 136 of the Mental Health Act). It therefore has practical implications in assessing attitudes with other groups within forensic mental health. Originality/value– Assessing attitudes towards offenders with mental health problems would enable a better understanding of the formation of negative attitudes and stigmatisation and therefore, ways of tackling treatment, rehabilitation and also community reintegration.
A profile of psychologists in clinical training caseloads in IrelandFeely, David; Byrne, Michael
2015 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice
doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-09-2014-0025
Purpose– This study profiled the work activities, including caseloads, of psychologists in clinical training (n=51; hereafter referred to as “trainees”) in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of trainees by focusing on the effect they had on the waiting times across the services where they were on placement. Design/methodology/approach– This study employed a survey design using the online survey software, Limesurvey, in order to profile the work activities of 51 trainees (response rate=47 per cent) on various placements across the RoI. Findings– Findings suggest that the trainees work contributed in a meaningful way to their host services through their engagement in both direct and indirect clinical work. Research limitations/implications– The study relied on self-report data, some of which were estimates (e.g. waitlist lengths at placement end). Future research could employ other methods (e.g. work activity diaries) to increase reliability. Originality/value– By highlighting the valuable contribution made by trainees while on placement, this study supports the continued funding of clinical training programmes in the RoI.
Using a Delphi process to extend a rural mental health workforce recruitment initiativeWillems, Julie; Sutton, Keith; Maybery, Darryl
2015 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice
doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-10-2014-0033
Purpose– The Gippsland Mental Health Vacation School program has been shown to positively change student participants’ interest and attitudes to living and working in a rural area. A range of factors are impacting on the future viability of the initiative including: limitations on the number of student participants, the reusability of content, staffing, time pressures, a dwindling funding base, and a drop-off in interest in living and working in a rural setting. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach– A three-phase Delphi Study was employed to engage with expert knowledge of the program’s key stakeholder groups (student participants and service provider staff) in order to inform the initial steps of shifting the program toward a blended model, distributed across space and time. Findings– The results suggest that: first, the current mode of delivery, a week-long intensive face-to-face format, should be transitioned to a more sustainable blended learning approach that includes both on-line content and an in situ component; and second, trailing the use of social media as a mechanism to maintain student interest in rural mental health work following the vacation school. Originality/value– This study highlights how the transition to a sustainable approach to the delivery of a novel rural mental health workforce recruitment strategy was informed through a three-phase Delphi Study that involved the key stakeholders (groups of student participants and service provider staff). The study has important implications for addressing the shortage of mental health practitioners in rural areas. It will and be of interest to educators, administrators, researchers and bureaucrats.
Have you got what it takes? Nursing in a Psychiatric Intensive Care UnitWard, Louise; Gwinner, Karleen
2015 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice
doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2014-0021
Purpose– A Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and or High Dependency Unit (HDU) is a locked, intensive treatment facility available to people experiencing acute psychiatric distress. For many people who access public mental health services in Australia, the PICU/HDU is the primary point of admission, and should represent and facilitate timely assessment and an optimum treatment plan under a recovery framework. Nurses are the largest health discipline working in this specialty area of care. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach– A qualitative study aimed to investigate the skills, experience, and practice, of nurses working in the PICU/HDU in relation to a recovery model of care. Identifying how nurses provide care in the PICU/HDU will inform a clinical practice guideline to further support this specialty area of care. Four focus groups were facilitated with 52 registered nurses attending. Findings– The nurse participants identified specific skills under four distinct themes; Storytelling, Treatment and recovery, Taking responsibility, and Safeguarding. The skills highlight the expertise and clinical standard required to support a recovery model of care in the PICU. Research limitations/implications– The research findings highlight urgency for a National PICU/HDU clinical practice guideline. Practical implications– A PICU/HDU practice guideline will promote the standard of nursing care required in the PICU/HDU. The PICU/HDU needs to be recognised as a patient centred, therapeutic opportunity as opposed to a restrictive and custodial clinical area. Social implications– Providing transparency of practice in the PICU/HDU and educating nurses to this specialty area of care will improve client outcome and recovery. Originality/value– Very few studies have explored the skills, experience, and practice, of nurses working in the PICU/HDU in relation to a recovery model of care. A dearth of research exists on what is required to work in this specialty area of care.
Interprofessional training on brief intervention for older adultsCoogle, Constance L; Owens, Myra G
2015 The Journal of Mental Health Training Education and Practice
doi: 10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2014-0012
Purpose– In recent years, Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) has become increasingly available to older adults who engage in at-risk drinking behaviors. The results of SBI training sessions that targeted hospital-based healthcare providers, as well as mental health service providers in community-based clinics, are reported. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach– In total, 93 participants attended SBI active learning training sessions. The responses of physicians/physicians in training about their intentions to apply the information in professional practice and their willingness to recommend the training to others in their profession were compared to practitioners in other professions. Findings– Although there were no differences in terms of commitment to apply the information or level of comfort using the techniques, physicians/physicians in training were less interested in promoting the SBI training among their colleagues. Research limitations/implications– The results are limited with respect to the number of training participants engaged and the geography entailed, yet implications for addressing barriers to widespread implementation and training challenges are explored. Practical implications– Although it may be more difficult to promote SBI training in locations that do not primarily provide mental health services, hospitals, and other primary care settings are precisely where training may be most useful. Social implications– The importance of training approaches to SBI that are disseminated within the context of a public health model of clinical preventive services is highlighted. Originality/value– Original research is presented to highlight the need to improve training receptivity and facilitate the translation into practice.