BACKGROUND: Access to psychological therapy is often difficult. Problems with access may be overcome through 'minimal interventions' (such as books and computer programs), which encourage self-help for mental health problems and are less dependent on the availability of specialist therapists. However, to be effective, such interventions must be acceptable to patients. AIMS: To use qualitative methods to explore patient attitudes, by examining patient expectancies of psychological therapy and their experiences with a 'minimal intervention' (guided self-help). METHODS: Qualitative interviews (N = 24) were conducted with patients after they had received guided self-help for depression as part of a randomised controlled trial. RESULTS: There were important gaps between patients' expectancies of psychological therapy and their experience of the guided self-help. These gaps related to the process of therapy (e.g. time, professional expertise) and outcomes. Particularly salient was a theme relating to explanatory models. Patients were often seeking insight into the 'cause' of their current difficulties, whereas the minimal intervention was largely focused on symptom resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The effective implementation of 'minimal interventions' requires an understanding of the expectancies of patients concerning psychological therapy, in order to provide a basis for effective communication and negotiation between professionals and patients.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Access to psychological therapy is often difficult. Problems with access may be overcome through 'minimal interventions' (such as books and computer programs), which encourage self-help for mental health problems and are less dependent on the availability of specialist therapists. However, to be effective, such interventions must be acceptable to patients. AIMS: To use qualitative methods to explore patient attitudes, by examining patient expectancies of psychological therapy and their experiences with a 'minimal intervention' (guided self-help). METHODS: Qualitative interviews (N = 24) were conducted with patients after they had received guided self-help for depression as part of a randomised controlled trial. RESULTS: There were important gaps between patients' expectancies of psychological therapy and their experience of the guided self-help. These gaps related to the process of therapy (e.g. time, professional expertise) and outcomes. Particularly salient was a theme relating to explanatory models. Patients were often seeking insight into the 'cause' of their current difficulties, whereas the minimal intervention was largely focused on symptom resolution. CONCLUSIONS: The effective implementation of 'minimal interventions' requires an understanding of the expectancies of patients concerning psychological therapy, in order to provide a basis for effective communication and negotiation between professionals and patients.
Authors: Nina Bendelin; Hugo Hesser; Johan Dahl; Per Carlbring; Karin Zetterqvist Nelson; Gerhard Andersson Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2011-06-30 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Kjersti R Lillevoll; Maja Wilhelmsen; Nils Kolstrup; Ragnhild Sørensen Høifødt; Knut Waterloo; Martin Eisemann; Mette Bech Risør Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2013-06-20 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Jasmin Knopp-Hoffer; Sarah Knowles; Peter Bower; Karina Lovell; Penny E Bee Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2016-05-18 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Claire Pentecost; Paul Farrand; Colin J Greaves; Rod S Taylor; Fiona C Warren; Melvyn Hillsdon; Colin Green; Jo R Welsman; Kat Rayson; Philip H Evans; Adrian H Taylor Journal: Trials Date: 2015-08-20 Impact factor: 2.279