User participation in decision-making – a qualitative intervention study on mental health professionals’ experiences

Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe mental health professionals’ experiences of changes in attitudes towards, and knowledge about, users of mental health-care recovery and decisional participation in clinical practice after an educational intervention. Design/methodology/approach Users of mental health care want to participate in decisions regarding their own mental health care. Shared decision-making as a method is coherent with recovery orientation in mental health services and results in better-informed patients and fewer conflicts regarding decisions. A qualitative intervention study was designed to evaluate changes in attitudes and knowledge about mental health recovery in Sweden. Nine participants were interviewed, and the data were analysed by content analysis. Findings Three categories were generated from the analysis: Increased theoretical knowledge, changing attitudes about practical approaches and the significance of social factors in recovery. Originality/value When shared decision-making is to be implemented in mental health, professionals need to gain knowledge about recovery and need to adopt changed roles as health professionals. Educational interventions therefore seem necessary if such changes are to happen.