Psychiatric Outpatients Report Their Experiences as Participants in a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

We conducted exit interviews with 45 outpatients with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who had participated in a randomized clinical trial. The interviews followed a semistructured format and were audiotaped for later transcription and rating by two independent raters. Content analyses of the interviews revealed that most participants evaluated their experiences quite favorably. For example, most noted that the assessment process was thought-provoking and motivational and that the intervention groups led to increased self-confidence and new friendships. Although a few participants noted that the assessment contained sensitive material, all appreciated the frequent reminders that information disclosed was strictly confidential. These results indicate that persons living with a SPMI often enjoy participating in behavioral research, which can yield immediate benefits to patient-participants. Exit interview research such as this can help investigators to understand reasons for consent and participation, to identify needs for protocol modifications, and to facilitate the integration of evidence-based interventions into the mental health care systems.

Readiness to Participate in Psychiatric Research

“…Likewise, the presence or lack of a financial incentive was rarely chosen as an argument to agree or refuse to participate. This confirms other studies, wherein results have found that a clinician's recommendation to support participation was a positive influence and had similar value to a monetary incentive (6,7). Although 43% of patients indicated that they would discuss their possible participation with relatives, more patients stated that they would rather rely on their treating physicians, either their family doctor (65%) or their hospital physician (54%).…”

HIV, STD, and Sexual Risk Reduction for Individuals with a Severe Mental Illness: Review of the Intervention Literature

“…Individuals with SMI are often unemployed, so they have the time to attend intervention sessions; moreover, our experience, corroborated by qualitative research [68], indicates that patients appreciate the opportunity to receive sexual health services, and to have research conducted on their behalf. Individuals with SMI are used to attending individual or group counseling sessions, so they may be more willing to attend intervention sessions than individuals who are unsure what to expect, as research suggests that those who are prepared for what to expect from treatment in advance are more likely to attend treatment sessions [69].…”

Regulatory Issues Encountered When Conducting Longitudinal Substance Abuse Research

“…Instead reasons for participation include citizenship, altruism, and “drug user activism” (Fry and Dwyer, 2001). Enjoyment of behavioral research participation and receipt of associated non-monetary benefits has been documented among other vulnerable populations (Carey et al, 2001). Similarly, many substance abusers may participate in research not just for the money but also for other reasons such as the opportunity to contribute to research that may benefit fellow substance abusers in the future.…”