Consumer input into standards revision: changing practice

Abstract

As part of ongoing quality improvement initiatives, the Canadian Standards for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing were recently revised. For the first time since the standards were published in 1995, the input of consumers of mental health services was sought. Thirty-one consumers from across Canada participated in focus groups, and answered questions related to the domains of practice as identified in the standards document. Through this input, consumers were able to inform the committee regarding areas of satisfaction and dissatisfaction from their unique perspective. Through this article, the process of consumer collaboration is illustrated in relation to how it shaped Standards revision, and finally how it affected the practitioners involved.

‘Recovery’ in the Real World: Service User Experiences of Mental Health Service Use and Recommendations for Change 20 Years on from a First Episode Psychosis

“…The desire to be recognised as human in mental health care has been widely reported (Eirksen et al 2012 ; Williams and Tufford 2012 ; Davidson et al 2008 ). Acknowledging humanity results in positive service evaluations (Beal et al 2007 ) and exceptional practitioners display both professional and human qualities (Barker et al 1999 ). Being seen as an ordinary complex individual with problems can alleviate the distress associated with the objectification of diagnostic labelling (Larsen and Terkelsen 2014 ) and reframe ‘mental illness’ as a human challenge (Stastny and Lehmann 2007 ).…”

Implementing family intervention within forensic services: The perspectives of clinical staff

“…It has often been shown that it is advantageous if health professionals feel involved with, and in control of, new or changing procedures (Beal et al, 2007;Michie et al, 2007). This has been further emphasised by Fadden's directive to involve management levels in the process of change and service implementation from the initial stages (Fadden, 1997).…”

An Analysis of Canadian Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing through the Junctures of History, Gender, Nursing Education, and Quality of Work Life in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan

“…The latest standards were developed after consultation with Canadian consumers of mental health across Canada. Beal et al [36] acknowledge that systemic issues, that is, labeling, stigma, caregiver, and treatment role, affect PMHN but emphasize the need for nurses to know their clientele to foster therapeutic relationships. Systemic factors including workforce size, workload, violence in the workplace, nursing scope of practice, and accessibility to PMHN may have important implications for PMHN and their daily practice.…”

“…Systemic factors including workforce size, workload, violence in the workplace, nursing scope of practice, and accessibility to PMHN may have important implications for PMHN and their daily practice. PMHN education strives to produce nurses whose practice meets or exceedes the standards [36]. However, systemic factors must be addressed to foster PMHN's delivery of high quality care that are consistent with the standards for psychiatric-mental health nursing.…”