A multidisciplinary learning experience contributing to mental health rehabilitation

Abstract

Brighton, R. (2017). A multidisciplinary learning experience contributing to mental health rehabilitation. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (1), 98-103. A multidisciplinary learning experience contributing to mental health rehabilitation AbstractPurpose People who access health services often have a range of needs that require the involvement of members from a multidisciplinary team. Teaching future health professionals about the importance of a multidisciplinary approach can be challenging. The aim of this paper is to describe a project called Recovery Camp that enhanced multidisciplinary health education through experiential and immersive engagement with people experiencing mental illness.Method Future health professionals and people with a lived experience of mental illness took part in Recovery Camp -an innovative five-day therapeutic recreation initiative in the Australian bush. Results are presented in a case study format and provide the reflective quotes of participants. The quotes were analyzed using a content analysis to identify core concepts.Results Analyses identified a common appreciation of multidisciplinary learning. The interactions among students and between students and consumers, promoted inter-professional practice and a holistic understanding of mental health care.Conclusions An immersive multidisciplinary approach, embedded within a recovery-based programme, enhances students' understanding of the significance of multidisciplinary mental health care and treatment. Implications for Rehabilitation People with a lived experience of mental illness have a range of complex needs that require involvement of members from a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. This study suggested a multidisciplinary, experiential, immersive health education experience -drawing on the principles of therapeutic recreation -can promote inter-professional rehabilitative practice and an appreciation for holistic mental health care. Method: Future health professionals and people with a lived experience of mental illness took part in the Recovery Camp -an innovative five-day therapeutic recreation initiative in the Australian bush. Results are presented in a case study format and provide the reflective quotes of participants. The quotes were analyzed using a content analysis to identify core concepts.

Alternative mental health clinical placements: Knowledge transfer and benefits for nursing practice outside mental healthcare settings

“…Participant one draws upon their experiences from Recovery Camp , realising that the impact of social isolation that is related to people with lived experiences of mental illness of mental health care. This is in agreement with previous studies illustrated that this clinical placement setting helped students to develop therapeutic relationships, practical skills and to appreciate and understand the importance of lived experience (Moxham et al., 2017; Perlman et al., 2017).…”

Experiences of recovery among adults with a mental illness using visual art methods: A systematic review

“…It is important for mental health nurses to understand mental health and recovery concepts from consumers' own perspectives (Moxham et al, 2017). They can acquire from this review, and other qualitative mental health studies, the language of visual and verbal metaphors which consumers use as a springboard for communicating their experiences and needs.…”

Empowerment: The experience of Recovery Camp for people living with a mental illness

“…Recovery Camp is designed to be a recovery oriented experience in that it uses activities as a therapeutic means to improve the health and quality of life of those with a lived experience of mental illness (Moxham et al, 2016). It offers specially programmed activities designed to encourage people to extend themselves cognitively, physically, psychologically and socially (Moxham et al, 2016;Picton, 2015). Adventure activities and physical challenges are used to foster team building as well as personal strengths (Patterson et al, 2016;Taylor et al, 2016).…”