A study on the feasibility of delivering a psychologically informed ward‐based intervention on an acute mental health ward

Abstract

Acute mental health inpatient wards have been criticized for being nontherapeutic.The study aimed to test the feasibility of delivering a psychologically informed intervention in these settings. This single-arm study evaluated the feasibility of clinical psychologists delivering a ward-based psychological service model over a 6-month period on two acute mental health wards. Data were gathered to assess trial design parameters and the feasibility of gathering patient/staff outcome data. Psychologists were able to deliver key elements of the intervention. Baseline staff and patient participant recruitment targets were met. However, there was significant patient attrition at follow-up, with incorrect contact details on discharge being the primary reason. Implementation of a ward-based psychological intervention appears feasible when implemented flexibly. It is feasible to recruit staff and patient participants and to collect staff outcome measures over a 6-month period. However, greater efforts need to be taken to trace patient movement following discharge.

Psychologically informed health care

“…TULIPS aims to increase patient access to therapies such as CBT provided via the direct mode, as well as access to care whereby psychologists work indirectly with other members of the team to create more psychologically informed care environments. The model was developed in a number of steps, including a literature review [ 53 ], a qualitative study [ 30 ], pilot studies [ 10 ], and an expert consensus conference [ 52 ].…”

“…Integration of psychological principles has been previously described for care provided by specific disciplines such as physiotherapists (physical therapists), nurses, physicians, or pharmacists [ 7–9 ], the care provided by a specific department or ward, such as an acute mental health ward [ 10 ], and the care for a specific group such as a people living with a congenital heart condition [ 11 ] or pediatric populations [ 12 ]. These were “locally grown” initiatives, which were developed independently of each other.…”

Metacognitive training in the acute psychiatric care setting: feasibility, acceptability, and safety

“…Due to the high turnover of patients, group interventions in particular should not be sequential so that patients can join the intervention at any time point and can resume participation without having missed essential information if they miss sessions due to worsening of symptoms or other reasons ( Fife et al, 2019 ). In addition, it is often difficult to contact participants for follow-up assessments after they have been discharged from the ward ( Paterson et al, 2019 ; Raphael et al, 2021a ).…”