Recovery‐Oriented Care in Older‐Adult Acute Inpatient Mental Health Settings in Australia: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Recovery-oriented care acknowledges the unique journey that consumers lead with the aim of regaining control of their lives in order to live a good life. Recovery has become a dominant policy-directed model of many mental health care organizations, but in older-adult acute mental health inpatient settings, nurses do not have a clear description of how to be recovery-oriented. The aims of this study were to determine the extent to which elements of existing nursing practice resemble the domains of recovery-oriented care and provide a baseline understanding of practice in preparation for transformation to recovery-oriented mental health care provision. An exploratory, qualitative research design was used to meet the research aims. A purposive sample of mental health nurses (N = 12) participated in focus groups in three older-adult inpatient settings in Australia. A general inductive approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. The mental health nurses in this study readily discussed aspects of their current practice within the recovery domains. They described pragmatic ways to promote a culture of hope, collaborative partnerships, meaningful engagement, autonomy and self-determination, and community participation and citizenship. Nurses also discussed challenges and barriers to recovery-oriented care in older-adult acute mental health settings. This study identified a reasonable baseline understanding of practice in preparation for transformation to recovery-oriented older-adult mental healthcare provision. A concerted drive focused on recovery education is required to effectively embed a recovery-orientated paradigm into older-adult mental health settings.

Recovery‐focussed care: How it can be utilized to reduce aggression in the acute mental health setting

“…; Mancini ; McKenna et al . ). Even during the acute phase of hospitalization, they can continue to have a good understanding of their recovery goals and utilize coping strategies to positively manage their mental distress (Lakeman ; Lloyd & Carson ; McKenna et al .…”

“…; McKenna et al . ). Supporting the consumer to build on their existing strengths can also transform the way they view themselves (Hughes et al .…”

“…Even during the acute phase of hospitalization, they can continue to have a good understanding of their recovery goals and utilize coping strategies to positively manage their mental distress (Lakeman ; Lloyd & Carson ; McKenna et al . ; Rydon ). Therefore, nurses practising ‘coproduction to achieve identified goals’ will support the person to improve their mental health knowledge and broaden their self‐management strategies (Mancini ; Mancini et al .…”

“…Coproduction is a term increasingly appearing in mental health literature, and portrays the consumer as having equal influence in making decisions about their care (Eriksen et al 2012;Saruwatari 2009;Slade 2009). Consumers should be acknowledged as an expert of their illness, and their expertise should be utilized during periods of hospitalization (Aston & Coffey 2012;Goodwin & Happell 2006;Happell 2008;Happell & Harrow 2010;Hughes et al 2009;Kogstad et al 2011;Mancini 2007;McKenna et al 2014b). Even during the acute phase of hospitalization, they can continue to have a good understanding of their recovery goals and utilize coping strategies to positively manage their mental distress (Lakeman 2010;Lloyd & Carson 2011;McKenna et al 2014b;Rydon 2005).…”

“…Consumers should be acknowledged as an expert of their illness, and their expertise should be utilized during periods of hospitalization (Aston & Coffey 2012;Goodwin & Happell 2006;Happell 2008;Happell & Harrow 2010;Hughes et al 2009;Kogstad et al 2011;Mancini 2007;McKenna et al 2014b). Even during the acute phase of hospitalization, they can continue to have a good understanding of their recovery goals and utilize coping strategies to positively manage their mental distress (Lakeman 2010;Lloyd & Carson 2011;McKenna et al 2014b;Rydon 2005). Therefore, nurses practising 'coproduction to achieve identified goals' will support the person to improve their mental health knowledge and broaden their self-management strategies (Mancini 2007;Mancini et al 2005;Russinova et al 2011;Slay & Stephen 2013).…”