[The use of lived experiences among psychiatrists: a qualitative empirical exploration].

Abstract

Background: Psychiatrists generally make little use of lived experiences in addition to clinical and scientific knowledge, even while its use may make services more humane.

Aim: This study aims to explore psychiatrists’ lived experience perspectives and their considerations when integrating the personal into the professional domain.

Methods: As part of a qualitative participatory research approach, peer supervision sessions were followed for 2 years and additional interviews and a focus group were organised which were then analysed thematically.

Results: The participating psychiatrists had three main considerations for using their own experiences in clinical practice: personal, professional and clinical relevance. We identified 11 facilitating and 9 hindering factors in working with lived experiences related to clinical practice. In addition to the high workload and responsibility as a practitioner, a barrier is the lack of experience and recognition of this as a type of knowledge within the profession, including misconceptions about possible harmful effects. Facilitating factors included the opportunity to share with peers, a warm working relationship with patients and being able to create openness and destigmatisation among colleagues.

Conclusion: Psychiatrists appreciated the integration of lived experiences into the professional domain, even though still in its infancy. The peer supervision setting in this study was experienced as a safe space to share personal experiences with vulnerability and explore how they can harness lived experiences in the work context.