S66: Am I meant to do that? The changing role of mental health clinicians.

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By September 26, 2017 No Comments

Authors: Jennifer Weldon

Year: 2017

Event: 2017 TheMHS Conference

Subject: Promotion, Prevention, Early Intervention,Change, Innovation, Reform,Service Systems, Delivery, Implementation,Trauma-informed care

Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers

Abstract: This paper primarily investigated role clarity of Mental Health Clinical Leaders with reference to pre cancer pap and colorectal screening. Secondly it explored respondent’s perceptions and personal experiences of enablers and barriers to change at a local level. Following ethics approval in-depth semi structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample of clinical team leaders, the interviews where taped, transcribed and thematically analysed. Respondents held the view that their role has the potential to provide aspects of physical health care. However, they expressed ambivalence as to whether this was currently identified as their responsibility or within the parameters of their clinical skills. Respondents had awareness that mental health consumers had an increased likelihood of dying from preventable cancers but were unsure of organisational strategies to address the inequality. The ambivalence displayed around role clarity signifies the need to review how practical changes to roles are disseminated. Frontline clinical managers need the opportunity to explore and understand these; alongside being given the opportunity to identify local pathways for implementation. Educational opportunities, such as workshops or forums, at this level will increase the probability that the change is fully understood, supported and given clinical priority.

Learning Objectives
Learning Objective 1: This paper will initially allow the audience to gain a greater understanding of current issues related to the provision of physical health care and role clarity in mental health, through exploring the experiences of clinical managers during this period of significant reform and change. Secondly it will inform the audience of perceptions at a local level of enablers and barriers that influence change and achieve sustained improvements in frontline clinical practice and ultimately the physical health outcomes of those experiencing mental illness.

Learning Objective 2: The significant reforms currently occurring in mental health require organisations to be responsive to change; those best informed have the greatest chances of succeeding and improving health outcomes for consumers. This paper will give the attendee an insight into the potential change management strategies as evidence by the frontline work force. It will begin thought process around the dissemination of reforms to the frontline level and how this can be successfully achieved.

References
MEHTA, S., MAHESHWARI, G. C. & SHARMA, S. K. (2014.) ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN LEADING SUCCESSFUL CHANGE: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY. Journal of Contemporary Management Research, 8, 1.
HAPPELL, B., SCOTT, D. & PLATANIA-PHUNG, C. (2012). Provision of Preventive Services for Cancer and Infectious Diseases Among Individuals with Serious Mental Illness. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 26, 192-201.

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