Challenges in Caring: How to Support and Involve Mental Health Carers in Inpatient Care

Katherine Berry, Jenna King, Anvita Vikram, Claire Muller

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background
Inpatient admissions can increase carer stress rather than provide a welcome respite.
Aims
To gain a carer perspective about how to better meet their needs during an inpatient admission.
Method
Interviews were conducted with 12 carers whose relative had been admitted to inpatient care at least once. Interviews were analysed thematically.
Results
Carers described a fear of relinquishing responsibility for care which was exacerbated by concerns about the quality of care provided by staff. Better experiences were possible when carers were given information ranging from generic information about symptoms or how the mental health system works, information about patients’ needs and signposting in relation to carer support systems.
Conclusions
Inpatient staff need training in carer involvement including ways of engaging carers when patients do not give consent to information sharing. Communication is a two-way process with carers and staff learning from each other in terms of supporting patients.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBritish Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 28 Nov 2023

Keywords

  • Inpatient
  • carer
  • involvement
  • qualitative

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