ABSTRACT
Introduction: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic put at risk the resilience of health-care professionals by exposing them to high levels of stress. Our aim was to identify key elements for implementing the STEP programme, a psychological support service for healthcare professionals.Methods: qualitative design. The study participants were hospital healthcare staff. Anon-ymous questionnaires and transcriptions of group interventions and focus groups were used to identify professionals preferences to receiving psychological support, needs, concerns, resilience (STEP1.0); constrained emotions and associated thoughts (STEP1.5); perception of self-efficacy on managing emotions (STEP2.0); and the professionals profile requiring individual therapy.Results: Three hundred professionals participated in the study, 100.0% in STEP 1.0 , 27.3% in STEP 1.5, 2.7% in STEP 2.0, and 10.0% in individual interventions. Two hundred and three (67.7%) participants reflected in the survey that they would prefer access to a face-to-face psychological service during working hours. Three consecutive phases with specific needs and concerns were identified: The cognitive phase, at the beginning of the pandemic, when infection and self-efficacy were major concerns, the ventilation phase, when constrained emotions associated with several factors were expressed; and the recovery phase, when the clinical overload decreased and professionals were able to focus on emotion manage-ment training. Several personal characteristics associated with referral to individual therapy were identified. Conclusions: The key characteristics of a psychological support service are proximity, face-to-face interaction during working shifts, and a chronological phase system adapted to dif-ferent emerging needs.(AU)
Introducción: El estallido de la pandemia de la COVID-19 puso en riesgo la resiliencia de los profesionales sanitarios exponiéndolos a alto riesgo de estrés. Nuestro objetivo consistió en identificar elementos clave para implementar un servicio de apoyo psicológico para pro-fesionales.Método: Diseño cualitativo. Participaron profesionales a nivel hospitalario. Se utilizaron cuestionarios anónimos, transcripciones de intervenciones grupales y grupo focal. Se consideraron las variables asociadas a las herramientas de intervención psicológica im-plementadas: STEP 1.0, necesidades, preocupaciones y resiliencia; STEP 1.5, emociones contenidas y pensamientos asociados; STEP 2.0, percepción de autoeficacia en gestión de emociones. Características de profesionales asociadas a terapia individual; así como el método elegido para recibir apoyo psicológico. Resultados: Participaron 300 profesionales, 100.0% en STEP 1.0, 27.3% en STEP 1.5, 2.7% en STEP 2.0 y 10.0% en intervenciones individuales. En 203 cuestionarios los profesionales preferían un servicio psicológico presencial y durante las horas de trabajo. Se identificaron 3 fases consecutivas con necesidades y preocupaciones específicas: Fase Cognitiva, incial, cuando la infección y autoeficacia preocupaban más. Fase de Ventilación cuando se expresaron emociones contenidas asociadas a varios factores. Fase de Recuperación, cuando los profesionales afrontaron la gestión de emociones. Se identificaron característi-cas asociadas a la derivación a terapia individual. Conclusión: Las características clave de un servicio de apoyo psicológico son la proximi-dad, presencialidad, activarse en turnos laborales y seguir un sistema cronológico de fases adaptado a las distintas necesidades emergentes.(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , /psychology , Health Personnel/psychology , Mental Health , Burnout, Professional , Stress Disorders, Traumatic , Occupational Risks , Occupational Health , /epidemiology , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic put at risk the resilience of healthcare professionals by exposing them to high levels of stress. Our aim was to identify key elements for implementing the STEP programme, a psychological support service for healthcare professionals. METHODS: qualitative design. The study participants were hospital healthcare staff. Anonymous questionnaires and transcriptions of group interventions and focus groups were used to identify professionals' preferences to receiving psychological support, needs, concerns, resilience (STEP1.0); constrained emotions and associated thoughts (STEP1.5); perception of self-efficacy on managing emotions (STEP2.0); and the professionals' profile requiring individual therapy. RESULTS: Three hundred professionals participated in the study, 100.0% in STEP 1.0 , 27.3% in STEP 1.5, 2.7% in STEP 2.0, and 10.0% in individual interventions. Two hundred and three (67.7%) participants reflected in the survey that they would prefer access to a face-to-face psychological service during working hours. Three consecutive phases with specific needs and concerns were identified: The "cognitive" phase, at the beginning of the pandemic, when infection and self-efficacy were major concerns, the "ventilation" phase, when constrained emotions associated with several factors were expressed; and the "recovery" phase, when the clinical overload decreased and professionals were able to focus on emotion management training. Several personal characteristics associated with referral to individual therapy were identified. Conclusions: The key characteristics of a psychological support service are proximity, face-to-face interaction during working shifts, and a chronological phase system adapted to different emerging needs.
Introducción: El estallido de la pandemia de la COVID-19 puso en riesgo la resiliencia de los profesionales sanitarios exponiéndolos a alto riesgo de estrés. Nuestro objetivo consistió en identificar elementos clave para implementar un servicio de apoyo psicológico para profesionales. Método: Diseño cualitativo. Participaron profesionales a nivel hospitalario. Se utilizaron cuestionarios anónimos, transcripciones de intervenciones grupales y grupo focal. Se consideraron las variables asociadas a las herramientas de intervención psicológica implementadas: STEP 1.0, necesidades, preocupaciones y resiliencia; STEP 1.5, emociones contenidas y pensamientos asociados; STEP 2.0, percepción de autoeficacia en gestión de emociones. Características de profesionales asociadas a terapia individual; así como el método elegido para recibir apoyo psicológico. Resultados: Participaron 300 profesionales, 100.0% en STEP 1.0, 27.3% en STEP 1.5, 2.7% en STEP 2.0 y 10.0% en intervenciones individuales. En 203 cuestionarios los profesionales preferían un servicio psicológico presencial y durante las horas de trabajo. Se identificaron 3 fases consecutivas con necesidades y preocupaciones específicas: Fase "Cognitiva", inicial, cuando la infección y autoeficacia preocupaban más. Fase de "Ventilación" cuando se expresaron emociones contenidas asociadas a varios factores. Fase de "Recuperación", cuando los profesionales afrontaron la gestión de emociones. Se identificaron características asociadas a la derivación a terapia individual. Conclusión: Las características clave de un servicio de apoyo psicológico son la proximidad, presencialidad, activarse en turnos laborales y seguir un sistema cronológico de fases adaptado a las distintas necesidades emergentes.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Health Personnel , Pandemics , Qualitative Research , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , Male , Female , Adult , Health Personnel/psychology , Middle Aged , Psychosocial Intervention/methods , Self Efficacy , Surveys and Questionnaires , Resilience, Psychological , Occupational Stress/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Background: This research project aims to build a Machine Learning algorithm (ML) to predict first-time ADHD diagnosis, given that it is the most frequent mental disorder for the non-adult population. Methods: We used a stacked model combining 4 ML approaches to predict the presence of ADHD. The dataset contains data from population health care administrative registers in Catalonia comprising 1,225,406 non-adult individuals for 2013-2017, linked to socioeconomic characteristics and dispensed drug consumption. We defined a measure of proper ADHD diagnoses based on medical factors. Results: We obtained an AUC of 79.6% with the stacked model. Significant variables that explain the ADHD presence are the dispersion across patients' visits to healthcare providers; the number of visits, diagnoses related to other mental disorders and drug consumption; age, and sex. Conclusions: ML techniques can help predict ADHD early diagnosis using administrative registers. We must continuously investigate the potential use of ADHD early detection strategies and intervention in the health system.
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Social cognition (SC) and executive function (EF) have been described as important variables for social functioning and recovery of patients with psychosis. However, the relationship between SC and EF in first-episode psychosis (FEP) deserves further investigation, especially focusing on gender differences. AIMS: To investigate the relationship between EF and different domains of SC in FEP patients and to explore gender differences in the relationship between these domains. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 191 patients with new-onset psychosis recruited from two multicenter clinical trials. A comprehensive cognitive battery was used to assess SC (Hinting Task, Face Test and IPSAQ) and EF (TMT, WSCT, Stroop Test and digit span - WAIS-III). Pearson correlations and linear regression models were performed. RESULTS: A correlation between Theory of Mind (ToM), Emotional Recognition (ER) and EF was found using the complete sample. Separating the sample by gender showed different association profiles between these variables in women and men. CONCLUSIONS: A relationship between different domains of SC and EF is found. Moreover, women and men presented distinct association profiles between EF and SC. These results should be considered in order to improve the treatment of FEP patients and designing personalized interventions by gender.
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is young children's most common mental health disorder. We aim to provide causal estimates of the differential costs for the non-adult population with ADHD. We used longitudinal administrative data covering the non-adult population over five years and different healthcare providers (general practitioners, hospitalisations and emergency departments, visits to mental healthcare centres-day-care or hospitals) of 1,101,215 individuals in Catalonia (Spain). We also include the consumption of pharmaceuticals and cognitive therapies. We instrumented ADHD diagnosis by the probability of being diagnosed by the most visited healthcare provider based on individual monthly visits to the provider in which this visit was related to ADHD and the density of professionals in the different mental health providers. After using matching procedures to include a proper control group, we estimated two-part and finite mixture models. Our results indicate that ADHD children and adolescents displayed 610 higher annual health direct costs compared to not diagnosed counterparts. We provide average costs disentangling the sample by age boundaries, gender, and comorbidities to offer values for cost-effective analyses and incremental costs after diagnosis, which is around 400. A significant differential annual direct health cost for the non-adult population with ADHD is determined, which will be helpful for cost-effectiveness analysis and complete cost-of-illness studies.
ABSTRACT
Suicidal behavior (SB) is common in first-episode psychosis (FEP), and cognitive impairment has also been described in psychosis. Despite well-established risk factors for SB in psychosis, the role of cognition and insight remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between history of SB and cognition in recent-onset FEP, distinguishing between neurocognition, social cognition, and metacognition, and including cognitive insight (CI) as a metacognitive variable. The sample consisted of 190 participants with recent-onset FEP recruited from two multicentric studies. Two groups were formed based on presence/absence of a history of SB. Demographic, clinical, and cognitive data were compared by group, including significance level adjustments and size effect calculation. No differences were found regarding demographic, clinical, neurocognitive, social cognition, and metacognitive variables except for CI (18.18 ± 4.87; t = -3.16; p = 0.0020; d = -0.635), which showed a medium effect size. Small to medium effect size were found for attributional style (externalizing bias) (1.15 ± 3.94; t = 2.07; d = 0.482), theory of mind (ToM) (1.73 ± 0.22; t = 2.04; d = -0.403), jumping to conclusions bias (JTC) (23.3 %; X2 = 0.94; V = 0.178). In recent-onset psychosis, neurocognitive functioning was not related to the history of SB. As novelty, individuals with previous SB showed higher CI. Also, regarding social cognition and metacognition, individuals with prior SB tended to present extremely low externalizing bias, better ToM, and presence of JTC.
Subject(s)
Metacognition , Psychotic Disorders , Humans , Suicidal Ideation , Neuropsychological Tests , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , CognitionABSTRACT
The aims are to assess improvements in memory, attention and executive function in first-episode psychosis after Metacognitive Training (MCT). A multicenter randomized clinical trial was performed with two arms: MCT and psychoeducational intervention. A total of 126 patients with a diagnosis of psychosis, less than 5 years from the onset of the disease, were included. Patients were assessed two or three moments (baseline, post-treatment, 6 months follow-up) depending on the test, with a battery of neurocognitive tests (TAVEC, TMTA-B, CPT, WCST, Stroop and premorbid IQ). General linear models for repeated measures were performed. A better improvement in the MCT was found by an interaction between group and time in CPT Hit index, TMTB, Stroop, recent memory and number of perseverations of the TAVEC. Considering three assessments, a better improvement was found in non-perseverative, perseverative and total errors of the WCST and TMTB. The MCT is an effective psychological intervention to improve several cognitive functions.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders , Metacognition , Psychotic Disorders , Humans , Psychotic Disorders/complications , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Executive Function , Cognition , Cognition Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Metacognitive training (MCT) is an effective treatment for psychosis. Longitudinal trajectories of treatment response are unknown but could point to strategies to maximize treatment efficacy during the first episodes. This work aims to explore the possible benefit of using latent class mixed models (LCMMs) to understand how treatment response differs between metacognitive training and psychoeducation. We conducted LCMMs in 28 patients that received MCT and 34 patients that received psychoeducation. We found that MCT is effective in improving cognitive insight in all patients but that these effects wane at follow-up. In contrast, psychoeducation does not improve cognitive insight, and may increase self-certainty in a group of patients. These results suggest that LCMMs are valuable tools that can aid in treatment prescription and in predicting response to specific treatments.
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This study investigates, for the first time, clinical, cognitive, social cognitive and metacognitive differences in people diagnosed with first-episode of psychosis (FEP) with and without a family history of mental disorder split by maternal and paternal antecedents. A total of 186 individuals with FEP between 18 and 45 years old were recruited in community mental-health services. A transversal, descriptive, observational design was chosen for this study. Results suggest that there is a higher prevalence of maternal history of psychosis rather than paternal, and furthermore, these individuals exhibit a specific clinical, social and metacognitive profile. Individuals with a maternal history of mental disorder scored higher in delusional experiences, inhibition of the response to a stimulus and higher emotional irresponsibility while presenting a poorer overall functioning as compared to individuals without maternal history. Individuals with paternal history of mental disorder score higher in externalizing attributional bias, irrational beliefs of need for external validation and high expectations. This study elucidates different profiles of persons with FEP and the influence of the maternal and paternal family history on clinical, cognitive, social and metacognitive variables, which should be taken into account when offering individualized early treatment.
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OBJECTIVE: Poor insight is a major problem in psychosis, being detrimental for treatment compliance and recovery. Previous studies have identified various correlates of insight impairment, mostly in chronic samples. The current study aimed to determine clinical, neurocognitive, metacognitive, and socio-cognitive predictors of insight in first-episode psychosis. METHODS: Regression analyses of different insight dimensions were conducted in 190 patients with first-episode psychosis. Measures of clinical symptoms, neurocognition, metacognition, social cognition, and 'jumping to conclusions' bias were entered as predictors. RESULTS: Delusions, disorganisation, and certain negative symptoms were associated with unawareness in various domains, while depression was associated with greater awareness of illness. Deficit in theory of mind and self-reflective processes, as well as a 'jumping to conclusions' bias, contributed to poor insight. Several neuropsychological scores also contributed to this but their contribution was no longer observed in regression analyses that included all the previously identified clinical and cognitive predictors. A measure of perseverative errors was still associated with unawareness and misattribution of symptoms. CONCLUSION: In models that account for 28 % to 50 % of the variance, poor insight in first-episode psychosis is mainly associated with delusions and certain negative symptoms. At the cognitive level it does not appear to result from neuropsychological impairment but rather from altered reasoning bias and dysfunction in metacognitive processes. Therapeutic strategies specifically directed at these mechanisms could help improve the evolution of insight in first episode psychosis.
Subject(s)
Metacognition , Psychotic Disorders , Humans , Neuropsychological Tests , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Schizophrenic PsychologyABSTRACT
Jumping to conclusions (JTC) and impaired social cognition (SC) affect the decoding, processing, and use of social information by people with psychosis. However, the relationship between them had not been deeply explored within psychosis in general, and in first-episode psychosis (FEP) in particular. Our aim was to study the relationship between JTC and SC in a sample with FEP. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 121 patients with FEP, with measures to assess JTC (easy, hard, and salient probability tasks) and SC (emotional recognition, attributional style, and theory of mind). We performed Student's t-test and logistic regression in order to analyse these associations.We found a statistically significant and consistent relationship of small-moderate effect size between JTC (all three tasks) and impaired emotional recognition. Also, our results suggest a relationship between JTC and internal attributions for negative events. Relationships between JTC and theory of mind were not found. These results highlight the importance of psychological treatments oriented to work on a hasty reasoning style and on improving processing of social information linked to emotional recognition and single-cause attributions.
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BACKGROUND: We report the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Impact of Symptoms in Schizophrenia Scale (PRISS), which assesses the impact of subjective experiences or qualia in outpatients with this condition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 162 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in Spain. The PRISS measures the presence, frequency, concern and interference with daily life of self-reported experiences related to the main symptoms observed in these patients. The psychometric analysis included test-retest reliability, internal consistency and structural and convergent validity. RESULTS: The 28-item PRISS showed good test-retest reliability as 64.3% of the intraclass correlation coefficient values were between 0.40 and 0.79, which were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Analysis of the structural validity revealed a three-factor structure, (1) productive subjective experiences, (2) affective-negative subjective experiences and (3) excitation, which accounted for 56.11% of the variance. Of the Pearson's correlation coefficients analysed between the PRISS and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS), 72.2% were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and ranged from 0.38-0.42, 0.32-0.42 and 0.40-0.42, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the PRISS appears to be a brief, reliable and valid scale to measure subjective experiences in schizophrenia and provides valuable information complementary to clinical evaluation.
Subject(s)
Psychometrics , Schizophrenia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Reproducibility of Results , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Metacognitive training (MCT) is a promising treatment for improving cognitive insight associated with delusional beliefs in individuals with psychotic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine potential moderators of cognitive insight in individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) who received either MCT or psychoeducation. The present study was based on data from a randomized control trial comparing MCT to psychoeducation. Baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in a sample of 122 patients with FEP were examined as potential moderators of the self-reflectiveness and self-certainty dimensions of cognitive insight using the SPSS PROCESS macro. The only variable that moderated self-reflectiveness at the post-treatment evaluation was age of onset (b = -0.27, p = .025). The effect of MCT in reducing self-certainty was stronger in women (b = -3.26, p = .018) and in individuals with average or above average baseline self-esteem (b = -0.30, p = .007). Overall, our findings support the generalization of MCT to a variety of sociodemographic and clinical profiles. While some patient profiles may require targeted interventions such as MCT to improve cognitive insight, others may do equally as well with less demanding interventions such as a psychoeducational group.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Metacognition , Psychotic Disorders , Female , Humans , Psychotic Disorders/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Suicidal behavior (SB) involves an impairment in decision-making (DM). Jumping to conclusions bias (JTC), described as the tendency to make hasty decisions based on insufficient information, could be considered as analogous of impaired DM. However, the link between JTC and SB in psychosis and other diagnoses (e.g., depression) has never been studied. This study aims to explore the presence of JTC and SB in a sample comprising 121 patients with psychosis and 101 with depression. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, including history of SB and symptom-severity scores. JTC was assessed by the beads task, and patients who reached decisions with the second bead or before were considered to exhibit JTC. Age, gender, diagnosis, educational level, symptom severity, substance use, and SB were compared according to JTC presence. Variables found to be significantly different in this comparison were included in a multivariate analysis. JTC was more prevalent in patients with depression than with psychosis: 55.6% in an 85:15 ratio and 64.6% in a 60:40 ratio. When multivariate logistic regression was applied to study the influence of diagnosis (psychosis versus depression), age, and SB, only SB remained statistically significant (OR 2.05; 95% CI 0.99-4.22; pâ¯=â¯0.05). The population studied was assembled by grouping different samples from previous research, and we have not included control variables such as other clinical variables, neurocognitive measurements, or personality traits. JTC may be more closely linked to SB, as a transdiagnostic variable, rather than to a specific diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Psychotic Disorders , Suicidal Ideation , Bias , Decision Making , Delusions , Depression , Humans , Psychotic Disorders/complications , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiologySubject(s)
Psychotic Disorders , Decision Making , Delusions/etiology , Humans , Psychotic Disorders/complicationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Metacognitive training (MCT) has demonstrated its efficacy in psychosis. However, the effect of each MCT session has not been studied. The aim of the study was to assess changes in cognitive insight after MCT: (a) between baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up; (b) after each session of the MCT controlled for intellectual quotient (IQ) and educational level. METHOD: A total of 65 patients with first-episode psychosis were included in the MCT group from nine centers of Spain. Patients were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and 6 months follow-up, as well as after each session of MCT with the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). The BCIS contains two subscales: self-reflectiveness and self-certainty, and the Composite Index. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed models with repeated measures at different time points. RESULTS: Self-certainty decreased significantly (p = 0.03) over time and the effect of IQ was negative and significant (p = 0.02). From session 4 to session 8, all sessions improved cognitive insight by significantly reducing self-certainty and the Composite Index. CONCLUSIONS: MCT intervention appears to have beneficial effects on cognitive insight by reducing self-certainty, especially after four sessions. Moreover, a minimum IQ is required to ensure benefits from MCT group intervention.
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INTRODUCCIÓN: La mejora en los servicios de atención de salud mental pasa por una mayor participación de las personas con trastornos mentales y sus familias. Nuestro objetivo fue preguntar directamente la opinión de las personas con psicosis y sus cuidadores sobre sus necesidades y preferencias de tratamiento. MÉTODOS: Los autores diseñaron una encuesta anónima que contenía 9 preguntas sobre sus necesidades o sugerencias en diferentes áreas, como las dimensiones personales y sociales de la enfermedad, el tratamiento médico y psicoterapéutico, la rehabilitación psicosocial o la ayuda recibida de profesionales. Se realizó un estudio piloto para asegurar la adecuación y la inteligibilidad de las preguntas. Se recogieron 5.205 encuestas completas, correspondientes a 2.840 personas diagnosticadas de trastorno psicótico (incluyendo esquizofrenia) y 1.341 cuidadores, de toda España. RESULTADOS: La necesidad más importante según la evaluación de los participantes fue el apoyo emocional (amistades, pareja, familia). El 91% de los pacientes indicaron que esta necesidad era «bastante» o «muy importante». Tanto las personas con esquizofrenia como los cuidadores percibían que su salud era pobre (3,29 y 3,3, respectivamente, en una escala ascendente de 0 a 5). El 43% de los hombres y el 39% de las mujeres refirieron tener «poca» o «ninguna» libertad para tomar decisiones vitales importantes. Para el 35% del total de participantes el tratamiento psicoterapéutico se instauró demasiado tarde. El trabajo fue «importante» o «muy importante» para el 74% de los encuestados, especialmente para los jóvenes. La iniciativa contra el estigma más valorada fue aumentar la inversión en planes de atención para la esquizofrenia. CONCLUSIONES: Los gestores de servicios de atención de salud mental deben considerar la importancia que otorgan las personas diagnosticadas de psicosis a las necesidades emocionales, la percepción de libertad para tomar decisiones y la intervención temprana
INTRODUCTION: Improvement in mental health care services is going through a greater involvement of people with mental disorders and their families. Our aim was to directly ask the opinion of people with psychosis and their caregivers about their needs and preference for treatment. METHODS: The authors designed an anonymous survey containing 9questions about their needs or suggestions on different areas such as personal and social dimensions of the illness, medical and psychotherapeutic treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation or help received from professionals. A pilot study was done to ensure the adequacy and intelligibility of the form. The final survey consisted of 5.205 completed surveys were collected, corresponding to 2.840 people diagnosed with psychotic disorder (including schizophrenia) and 1.341 caregivers, from all over Spain. RESULTS: The most important need as assessed by participants was emotional support (friendships, partner, family). 91% of patients indicated that this need was «quite» or «very important». Both people with schizophrenia and caregivers perceived their health to be poor (3.29 and 3.30 respectively on an ascending scale from 0 to 5). 43% of males and 39% of females reported having «little» or «no» freedom to make important life decisions. For 35% of participants the psychotherapeutic treatment was instituted too late. Work was «important» or «very important» for 74% of respondents, especially for young people. The most valued anti-stigma initiative was to increase investments in schizophrenia healthcare plans. CONCLUSIONS: Designers of mental health care services should consider the importance given by people diagnosed with psychosis to emotional needs, perception of freedom to make choices and early intervention
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Psychotic Disorders/nursing , Caregivers , Quality of Health Care , Quality Improvement , Mental Health Services , Needs Assessment , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Improvement in mental health care services is going through a greater involvement of people with mental disorders and their families. Our aim was to directly ask the opinion of people with psychosis and their caregivers about their needs and preference for treatment. METHODS: The authors designed an anonymous survey containing 9questions about their needs or suggestions on different areas such as personal and social dimensions of the illness, medical and psychotherapeutic treatment, psychosocial rehabilitation or help received from professionals. A pilot study was done to ensure the adequacy and intelligibility of the form. The final survey consisted of 5.205 completed surveys were collected, corresponding to 2.840 people diagnosed with psychotic disorder (including schizophrenia) and 1.341 caregivers, from all over Spain. RESULTS: The most important need as assessed by participants was emotional support (friendships, partner, family). 91% of patients indicated that this need was «quite¼ or «very important¼. Both people with schizophrenia and caregivers perceived their health to be poor (3.29 and 3.30 respectively on an ascending scale from 0 to 5). 43% of males and 39% of females reported having «little¼ or «no¼ freedom to make important life decisions. For 35% of participants the psychotherapeutic treatment was instituted too late. Work was «important¼ or «very important¼ for 74% of respondents, especially for young people. The most valued anti-stigma initiative was to increase investments in schizophrenia healthcare plans. CONCLUSIONS: Designers of mental health care services should consider the importance given by people diagnosed with psychosis to emotional needs, perception of freedom to make choices and early intervention.
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OBJECTIVE: This article describes the adoption of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) supported employment between 2013 and 2017 in Catalonia (Spain) in the context of high unemployment and a predominance of traditional preemployment training approaches. It reports the experience of implementing IPS to promote competitive job placement of people with mental disorders. METHOD: The Avedis Donabedian Research Institute (FAD) designed, trained, implemented, and evaluated the project. We used a longitudinal, mixed-methods approach. RESULTS: The demonstration project comprised 7 employment services and 12 ambulatory mental health centers. It followed up programs and participants from October 2013 to December 2017. The project added 1,188 new competitive jobs, increased the rate of competitive employment from 16% to 43%, and improved the fidelity of IPS by 44% on the organizational dimension and by 34% on services dimension. The quality of employment was similar to the overall employment market, with 94% of temporary jobs. The qualitative analysis confirmed several areas of improvement, including the vision of recovery, collaborations between vocational and mental health services, work patterns of practitioners, and views of work as an important treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A strong leadership team, consistent training, and commitment to model fidelity have established IPS in the pilot region as an important intervention to obtain and maintain competitive employment and recovery for people with a mental health condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
