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Lowes J, Ferguson N, Bressington D, Mitchell D. Patient clinical and demographic factors associated with involuntary psychiatric admission in the northern territory top end. Australas Psychiatry 2024:10398562241245292. [PMID: 38605531 DOI: 10.1177/10398562241245292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Australia has inadequate publicly available data regarding the use of involuntary psychiatric care. This study examined the association between patient clinical/demographic factors and involuntary psychiatric admission following initial psychiatric assessment in Royal Darwin Hospital. METHOD Retrospective review of 638 psychiatric assessments followed by covariate analysis of patient variables associated with involuntary psychiatric admission. RESULTS Most of the 225 psychiatric admissions were involuntary (92%). Male patients and those with a preferred language other than English had the highest risk of being admitted involuntarily (RR 1.09, χ2 [1] = 3.9, p = .048, and RR 1.11, p = .036, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Further research regarding the influence of patient demographics and clinical factors on rates of involuntary admissions, particularly for Aboriginal patients, is recommended. The findings prompt discussion on strategies to improve monitoring of involuntary care and barriers to voluntary treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Lowes
- Top End Mental Health Service, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, NT Australia
| | - Nicholas Ferguson
- Top End Mental Health Service, Royal Darwin Hospital, Casuarina, NT, Australia
| | - Daniel Bressington
- Faculty of Health, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia; Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - David Mitchell
- Faculty of Health, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia; Northern Territory Department of Health, Darwin, NT, Australia
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Husum TL, Wormdahl I, Kjus SHH, Hatling T, Rugkåsa J. Something Happened with the Way We Work: Evaluating the Implementation of the Reducing Coercion in Norway (ReCoN) Intervention in Primary Mental Health Care. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:786. [PMID: 38610208 PMCID: PMC11011458 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12070786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current policies to reduce the use of involuntary admissions are largely oriented towards specialist mental health care and have had limited success. We co-created, with stakeholders in five Norwegian municipalities, the 'Reducing Coercion in Norway' (ReCoN) intervention that aims to reduce involuntary admissions by improving the way in which primary mental health services work and collaborate. The intervention was implemented in five municipalities and is being tested in a cluster randomized control trial, which is yet to be published. The present study evaluates the implementation process in the five intervention municipalities. To assess how the intervention was executed, we report on how its different elements were implemented, and what helped or hindered implementation. METHODS We assessed the process using qualitative methods. Data included detailed notes from quarterly progress interviews with (i) intervention coordinators and representatives from (ii) user organisations and (iii) carer organisations. Finally, an end-of-intervention evaluation seminar included participants from across the sites. RESULTS The majority of intervention actions were implemented. We believe this was enabled by the co-creating process, which ensured ownership and a good fit for the local setting. The analysis of facilitators and barriers showed a high degree of interconnectedness between different parts of the intervention so that success (or lack thereof) in one area affected the success in others. Future implementation should pay attention to enhanced planning and training, clarify the role and contribution of service user and carer involvement, and pay close attention to the need for implementation support and whether this should be external or internal to services. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to implement a complex intervention designed to reduce the use of involuntary admissions in general support services, such as the Norwegian primary mental health services. This could have implications for national and international policy aimed at reducing the use of involuntary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonje Lossius Husum
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0166 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Irene Wormdahl
- Department of Mental Health Work, NTNU Social Research, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Solveig H. H. Kjus
- Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, NTNU Social Research, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (S.H.H.K.); (T.H.)
| | - Trond Hatling
- Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, NTNU Social Research, 7491 Trondheim, Norway; (S.H.H.K.); (T.H.)
| | - Jorun Rugkåsa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, 0166 Oslo, Norway;
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway
- Centre for Care Research, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway
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Hofstad T, Husum TL, Rugkåsa J, Hofmann BM. Geographical variation in compulsory hospitalisation - ethical challenges. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1507. [PMID: 36496384 PMCID: PMC9737766 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsory hospitalisation in mental health care restricts patients' liberty and is experienced as harmful by many. Such hospitalisations continue to be used due to their assumed benefit, despite limited scientific evidence. Observed geographical variation in compulsory hospitalisation raises concern that rates are higher and lower than necessary in some areas. METHODS/DISCUSSION We present a specific normative ethical analysis of how geographical variation in compulsory hospitalisation challenges four core principles of health care ethics. We then consider the theoretical possibility of a "right", or appropriate, level of compulsory hospitalisation, as a general norm for assessing the moral divergence, i.e., too little, or too much. Finally, we discuss implications of our analysis and how they can inform the future direction of mental health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Hofstad
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tonje Lossius Husum
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway ,grid.412414.60000 0000 9151 4445Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorun Rugkåsa
- grid.411279.80000 0000 9637 455XHealth Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway ,grid.463530.70000 0004 7417 509XCentre for Care Research, University of South-Eastern Norway, Porsgrunn, Norway
| | - Bjørn Morten Hofmann
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway ,grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Gjøvik, Norway
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Wergeland NC, Fause Å, Weber AK, Fause ABO, Riley H. Health professionals' experience of treatment of patients whose community treatment order was revoked under new capacity-based mental health legislation in Norway: qualitative study. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e183. [PMID: 36217299 PMCID: PMC9634590 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Norway introduced capacity-based legislation in mental healthcare on 1 September 2017 with the aim of increasing patient autonomy and legal protection and reducing the use of coercion. The new legislation was expected to be particularly important for patients under community treatment orders (CTOs). AIMS To explore health professionals' experiences of how capacity-based legislation affects healthcare services for patients whose compulsory treatment order was revoked as a result of being assessed as having capacity to consent. METHOD Nine health professionals responsible for treatment and care of patients whose CTO was revoked owing to the new legislation were interviewed in depth from September 2019 to March 2020. We used a hermeneutic approach to the interviews and analysis of the transcripts. RESULTS The participants found that capacity-based legislation raised their awareness of their responsibility for patient autonomy and involvement in treatment and care. They also felt a need for more frequent assessments of patients' condition and capacity to consent and more flexibility between levels of care. CONCLUSIONS The study shows that health professionals found that capacity-based legislation raised their awareness of their responsibility for patient autonomy and involvement in treatment and care. They sought closer dialogue with patients, providing information and advice, and more frequently assessing patients' condition to adjust treatment and care to enable them to retain their capacity to consent. This could be challenging and required competence, continuity and close collaboration between personnel in different healthcare services at primary and specialist level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Camilla Wergeland
- Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; and Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Åshild Fause
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Astrid Karine Weber
- Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Henriette Riley
- Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway; and Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Wormdahl I, Hatling T, Husum TL, Kjus SHH, Rugkåsa J, Brodersen D, Christensen SD, Nyborg PS, Skolseng TB, Ødegård EI, Andersen AM, Gundersen E, Rise MB. The ReCoN intervention: a co-created comprehensive intervention for primary mental health care aiming to prevent involuntary admissions. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:931. [PMID: 35854270 PMCID: PMC9296016 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08302-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing involuntary psychiatric admissions is a global concern. In Norway, the rate of involuntary admissions was 199 per 100,000 people 16 years and older in 2020. Individuals' paths towards involuntary psychiatric admissions usually unfold when they live in the community and referrals to such admissions are often initiated by primary health care professionals. Interventions at the primary health care level can therefore have the potential to prevent such admissions. Interventions developed specifically for this care level are, however, lacking. To enhance the quality and development of services in a way that meets stakeholders' needs and facilitates implementation to practice, involving both persons with lived experience and service providers in developing such interventions is requested. AIM To develop a comprehensive intervention for primary mental health care aiming to prevent involuntary admissions of adults. METHODS This study had an action research approach with a participatory research design. Dialogue conferences with multiple stakeholders in five Norwegian municipalities, inductive thematic analysis of data material from the conferences, and a series of feedback meetings were conducted. RESULTS The co-creation process resulted in the development of the ReCoN (Reducing Coercion in Norway) intervention. This is a comprehensive intervention that includes six strategy areas: [1] Management, [2] Involving Persons with Lived Experience and Family Carers, [3] Competence Development, [4] Collaboration across Primary and Specialist Care Levels, [5] Collaboration within the Primary Care Level, and [6] Tailoring Individual Services. Each strategy area has two to four action areas with specified measures that constitute the practical actions or tasks that are believed to collectively impact the need for involuntary admissions. CONCLUSIONS The ReCoN intervention has the potential for application to both national and international mental health services. The co-creation process with the full range of stakeholders ensures face validity, acceptability, and relevance. The effectiveness of the ReCoN intervention is currently being tested in a cluster randomised controlled trial. Given positive effects, the ReCoN intervention may impact individuals with a severe mental illness at risk of involuntary admissions, as more people may experience empowerment and autonomy instead of coercion in their recovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Wormdahl
- grid.458589.d Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, NTNU Social Research, Trondheim, Norway ,grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Trond Hatling
- grid.458589.d Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, NTNU Social Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tonje Lossius Husum
- grid.5510.10000 0004 1936 8921Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute for Health & Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway ,grid.412414.60000 0000 9151 4445Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Solveig Helene Høymork Kjus
- grid.458589.d Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, NTNU Social Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jorun Rugkåsa
- grid.411279.80000 0000 9637 455XHealth Service Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway ,grid.463530.70000 0004 7417 509XCentre for Care Research, University of South-Eastern Norway, Porsgrunn, Norway
| | - Dorte Brodersen
- Department of Health Care, Ullensaker Municipality, Ullensaker, Norway
| | | | - Petter Sundt Nyborg
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Elverum Municipality, Elverum, Norway
| | | | - Eva Irene Ødegård
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, Grimstad Municipality, Grimstad, Norway
| | | | | | - Marit B. Rise
- grid.5947.f0000 0001 1516 2393Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Hofstad T, Rugkåsa J, Ose SO, Nyttingnes O, Kjus SHH, Husum TL. Service Characteristics and Geographical Variation in Compulsory Hospitalisation: An Exploratory Random Effects Within-Between Analysis of Norwegian Municipalities, 2015-2018. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:737698. [PMID: 34955909 PMCID: PMC8695843 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.737698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Compulsory hospitalisation in mental healthcare is contested. For ethical and legal reasons, it should only be used as a last resort. Geographical variation could indicate that some areas employ compulsory hospitalisation more frequently than is strictly necessary. Explaining variation in compulsory hospitalisation might contribute to reducing overuse, but research on associations with service characteristics remains patchy. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the associations between the levels of compulsory hospitalisation and the characteristics of primary mental health services in Norway between 2015 and 2018 and the amount of variance explained by groups of explanatory variables. Methods: We applied random-effects within-between Poisson regression of 461 municipalities/city districts, nested within 72 community mental health centre catchment areas (N = 1,828 municipality-years). Results: More general practitioners, mental health nurses, and the total labour-years in municipal mental health and addiction services per population are associated with lower levels of compulsory hospitalisations within the same areas, as measured by both persons (inpatients) and events (hospitalisations). Areas that, on average, have more general practitioners and public housing per population have lower levels of compulsory hospitalisation, while higher levels of compulsory hospitalisation are seen in areas with a longer history of supported employment and the systematic gathering of service users' experiences. In combination, all the variables, including the control variables, could account for 39-40% of the variation, with 5-6% related to municipal health services. Conclusion: Strengthening primary mental healthcare by increasing the number of general practitioners and mental health workers can reduce the use of compulsory hospitalisation and improve the quality of health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Hofstad
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorun Rugkåsa
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Centre for Care Research, University of South-Eastern Norway, Porsgrunn, Norway
| | | | - Olav Nyttingnes
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | - Tonje Lossius Husum
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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Trane K, Aasbrenn K, Rønningen M, Odden S, Lexén A, Landheim A. Flexible assertive community treatment teams can change complex and fragmented service systems: experiences of service providers. Int J Ment Health Syst 2021; 15:38. [PMID: 33892769 PMCID: PMC8067287 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-021-00463-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Implementing innovative health service models in existing service systems is complicated and context dependent. Flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) is a multidisciplinary service model aimed at providing integrated care for people with severe mental illness. The model was developed in the Netherlands and is now used in several countries, such as Norway. The Norwegian service system is complex and fragmented, with challenges in collaboration. Limited research has been performed on FACT teams and other new integrative health service models as part of such systems. However, such knowledge is important for future adjustments of innovation processes and service systems. Our aim was to explore how FACT teams are integrated into the existing formal public service system, how they function and affect the system, and describe some influencing factors to this. We sought to address how service providers in the existing service system experience the functioning of FACT teams in the system. METHODS Five focus group interviews were undertaken 3 years after the FACT teams were implemented. Forty service providers representing different services from both levels of administration (primary and specialist healthcare) from different Norwegian regions participated in this study. Team leaders of the FACT teams also participated. Service providers were recruited through purposeful sampling. Interviews were analysed using thematic text analysis. RESULTS The analysis revealed five main themes regarding FACT teams: (1) They form a bridge between different services; (2) They collaborate with other services; (3) They undertake responsibility and reassure other services; (4) They do not close all gaps in service systems; and (5) They are part of a service system that hampers their functioning. CONCLUSIONS The FACT teams in this study contributed to positive changes in the existing service system. They largely contributed to less complex and fragmented systems by forming a bridge and undertaking responsibility in the system and by collaborating with and reassuring other services; this has reduced some gaps in the system. The way FACT teams function and needs of the existing system appear to have contributed positively to these findings. However, complexity and fragmentation of the system partly hamper functioning of the FACT teams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Trane
- Inland Hospital Trust, The Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Hamar, Norway.
| | | | | | - Sigrun Odden
- Inland Hospital Trust, The Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Hamar, Norway
| | - Annika Lexén
- Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anne Landheim
- Inland Hospital Trust, The Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Hamar, Norway
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
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Wormdahl I, Husum TL, Kjus SHH, Rugkåsa J, Hatling T, Rise MB. Between No Help and Coercion: Toward Referral to Involuntary Psychiatric Admission. A Qualitative Interview Study of Stakeholders' Perspectives. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:708175. [PMID: 34484000 PMCID: PMC8415795 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.708175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Paths toward referral to involuntary psychiatric admission mainly unfold in the contexts where people live their everyday lives. Modern health services are organized such that primary health care services are often those who provide long-term follow-up for people with severe mental illness and who serve as gatekeepers to involuntary admissions at the secondary care level. However, most efforts to reduce involuntary admissions have been directed toward the secondary health care level; interventions at the primary care level are sparse. To adapt effective measures for this care level, a better understanding is needed of the contextual characteristics surrounding individuals' paths ending in referrals for involuntary admission. This study aims to explore what characterizes such paths, based on the personal experiences of multiple stakeholders. Method: One hundred and three participants from five Norwegian municipalities participated in individual interviews or focus groups. They included professionals from the primary and secondary care levels and people with lived experience of severe mental illness and/or involuntary admission and carers. Data was subject to constant comparison in inductive analysis inspired by grounded theory. Results: Four main categories emerged from the analysis: deterioration and deprivation, difficult to get help, insufficient adaptation of services provided, and when things get acute. Combined, these illustrate typical characteristics of paths toward referral for involuntary psychiatric admission. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the complexity of individuals' paths toward referral to involuntary psychiatric admission and underline the importance of comprehensive and individualized approaches to reduce involuntary admissions. Furthermore, the findings indicate a gap in current practice between the policies to reduce involuntary admissions and the provision of, access to, and adaptation of less restrictive services for adults with severe mental illness at risk of involuntary admissions. To address this gap, further research is needed on effective measures and interventions at the primary care level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Wormdahl
- NTNU Social Research, Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tonje Lossius Husum
- Centre for Medical Ethics, Institute for Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Jorun Rugkåsa
- Health Service Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Centre for Care Research, University of South-Eastern Norway, Porsgrunn, Norway
| | - Trond Hatling
- NTNU Social Research, Norwegian Resource Centre for Community Mental Health, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marit B Rise
- Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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