Qualitative experiences of disengagement in assertive outreach teams, in particular for “black” men: Clinicians’ perspectives

This study is a follow‐on study to a study into the experiences of disengagement from mental health services for men who described their ethnic identity as “black.” The aim of this study was to understand the same phenomenon from a clinician's perspective.

What is known on the subject?

Literature highlights that people from ethnic minority backgrounds experience some difficulties engaging with mental health services;

Disengagement from mental health services is a complex phenomenon that occurs for a variety of different reasons;

Only one paper previously has investigated clinicians’ perspective on disengagement from mental health services;

What the study adds to existing knowledge?

This study demonstrates that clinicians are aware that stigma and medication impact upon engagement with mental health services, which were also important components of the patients experience.

A finding of the former study was that patients’ attitudes towards mental health services change over time, with patients engaging more as they get older, a finding was supported by wider literature. However, in this study, the participants were not certain that this was the case.

What are the implications for practice?

The implications for practice from this study are that staff should persist with efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, carefully consider the significance and impact of medication and have an awareness of how patients’ attitudes towards mental illness an...

Source: Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing - November 27, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: C. Wagstaff, H. Graham, R. Salkeld Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research