Family inclusive teamwork in mental health : collaborative working partnerships between the patient, family and staff, especially focussed on an acute adult mental health service in Dunedin

Abstract

This research explores the concept of best practice working relationships between family, patient and staff in the context of acute adult mental illness. In the formal mental health services of New Zealand this concept is acknowledged as being founded on models from Europe. However services changed in response to the ideological grand theories and the realities of life in New Zealand.

Theories of best practice relationships have ranged from the separation of the patient from family and community to a commitment to relationships of collaboration and inclusive partnerships.

This study seeks to add to the theoretical knowledge about best practice in the era when the Blueprint for mental health services and the Third Way ideology advocate that services are to be responsive to needs and inclusive of the aspirations and resources of all stakeholders. The case study describes and explains the experience of small groups of ex-patients, family members and clinical staff. The case study explores the relational processes involved in building knowledge, interaction and decision-making.

The analysis of the case study provides theory that enables refinement of the Recovery Approach principles of the Blueprint. Previous theory has supported the inclusion of family but as a supplementary resource to the needs of the patient and staff. This study accepts that the needs and aspirations of all stakeholders can be identified and responded to in a way that is complementary to patient focussed intervention.

The findings of the study are focussed on providing principles for action at the macro, meso and micro levels. These principles provide direction for inclusive teamwork in which the patient, family and staff are full members of the collaborating team.