Authors: Indigo Daya, Lisa Spong, Rachel Gwyther
Year: 2017
Event: 2017 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Clinical Issues,Lived Experience, Recovery,Change, Innovation, Reform
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: Everyone wants to reduce violence in mental health units: consumers, staff, managers and funders. Currently there is a common culture of coercion, compulsion and restrictive interventions towards patients and occupational violence towards staff. The concept of ‘model of care’ is not the reality for many people. How can we utilise lived experience in changing these cultures of violence and restrictive practice?
The Safewards Model is an evidence-based nursing model to reduce conflict and increase safety for patients and staff in acute units (Hamilton et al, 2016). In Victoria, Safewards is being implemented state-wide.
As part of Victoria’s Safewards implementation, a consumer advisor has been employed for the first time. The inclusion of consumer perspective in developing and delivering implementation has resulted in a range of welcomed adaptions to the model and training. Consumer perspectives have highlighted that shifting words can shift culture and ultimately improve safety. Consumer perspectives have highlighted opportunities to bring Safewards up to date with contemporary consumer perspectives, recovery research, and concepts of care rather than control.
This presentation will examine practical examples of how consumer perspectives can contribute to improvements in clinical practice, and how language use can mirror and influence the culture and violence.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 1: Attendees will learn about practical applications of consumer perspectives to clinical models of care, and ways that consumer perspectives can assist to address cultural issues within clinical settings.
Learning Objective 2: This presentation is relevant to any service that is invested in reducing restrictive interventions and occupational violence. It is also relevant to anyone interested in gaining an increased understanding of how lived experience can contribute to culture change.
References
Hamilton, B., Fletcher, J., Sands, N., Roper, C., and Elsom, S. (2016). Safewards Victorian Trial Final Evaluation Report. Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, University of Melbourne. Retrieved from: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/mental-health/practice-and-service-quality/safety/safewards/evaluation
Jones, N. and Brown, R. (2013). The Absence of Psychiatric C/S/X Perspectives in Academic Discourse: Consequences and Implications. Disability Studies Quarterly, 33:1. Retrieved from: http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3433
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