{"title":"How to engage people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness in qualitative research: a descriptive and reflexive analysis.","authors":"Caressa Van Hoe, Loïc Moureau, Monica Verhofstadt","doi":"10.1080/17482631.2024.2408817","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>People experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) constitute a vulnerable population within the healthcare system and society. Similarly in research, there are perceived challenges in qualitative studies with this population due to several factors, including (self-)stigma, assessment of decision-making capacity, reduced communication skills and the (perceived) risk of adverse events, resulting in its scarcity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this contribution, the authors share their practical experiences of conducting qualitative research among this group of people, specifically addressing sensitive topics such as ongoing intensive care within a mental health facility and end-of-life care. Both advantageous and challenging factors that were encountered during different research phases -the preliminary phase, conducting the interviews and the concluding phase are systematically outlined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings highlight conscientious conducted in accordance with established standards, albeit with a deliberate embrace of non-conventional approaches while advocating an attitude of critical, ethical reflection. Adequate preparation, fostering creative approaches and adaptable communication to establish rapport and authentic interaction, thorough follow-up and support for all involved are equally crucial to sustain effective qualitative research.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Engaging people experiencing SPMI in research is as a cornerstone for empowerment-a feasible aspiration. Their inclusion in research endeavours is imperative, because first-hand narratives are key in shaping comprehensive and compassionate care practices for those experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":51468,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11441047/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2408817","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/9/27 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: People experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) constitute a vulnerable population within the healthcare system and society. Similarly in research, there are perceived challenges in qualitative studies with this population due to several factors, including (self-)stigma, assessment of decision-making capacity, reduced communication skills and the (perceived) risk of adverse events, resulting in its scarcity.
Methods: In this contribution, the authors share their practical experiences of conducting qualitative research among this group of people, specifically addressing sensitive topics such as ongoing intensive care within a mental health facility and end-of-life care. Both advantageous and challenging factors that were encountered during different research phases -the preliminary phase, conducting the interviews and the concluding phase are systematically outlined.
Results: The findings highlight conscientious conducted in accordance with established standards, albeit with a deliberate embrace of non-conventional approaches while advocating an attitude of critical, ethical reflection. Adequate preparation, fostering creative approaches and adaptable communication to establish rapport and authentic interaction, thorough follow-up and support for all involved are equally crucial to sustain effective qualitative research.
Conclusion: Engaging people experiencing SPMI in research is as a cornerstone for empowerment-a feasible aspiration. Their inclusion in research endeavours is imperative, because first-hand narratives are key in shaping comprehensive and compassionate care practices for those experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
期刊介绍:
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being acknowledges the international and interdisciplinary nature of health-related issues. It intends to provide a meeting-point for studies using rigorous qualitative methodology of significance for issues related to human health and well-being. The aim of the International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being is to support and to shape the emerging field of qualitative studies and to encourage a better understanding of all aspects of human health and well-being.