ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2892-2288
Current Organisations
University of Macau
,
Griffith University Logan Campus
,
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
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Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-01-2016
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 26-07-2018
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.12597
Abstract: People with mental health problems are at higher risk of physical health comorbidities and early mortality. A key risk factor for poor health outcomes is a lack of regular physical activity. Mental health services have typically responded by focusing on screening and promoting lifestyle programmes within secondary care mental health settings. The aim of this study was to better understand the barriers and enablers for Australian mental health consumers to participate in physical activity or exercise programmes from the perspectives of consumers and exercise practitioners. Interviews with 15 consumers experiencing serious mental health problems and five exercise practitioners were undertaken, followed by two focus groups (involving eight consumers and two exercise practitioners) to gain consensus on themes from the interviews, and codesign a set of recommendations for services to support and increase the engagement of mental health consumers in regular community-based exercise. Barriers that impacted on engagement in physical activity included: lack of social support, insufficient knowledge and information, difficulties with work/life balance, impact of physical and mental health issues, fear and lack of confidence, and financial cost. Enablers or motivators assisting engagement in community-based physical activity programmes included: social support, access to person-centred in idualised exercise options, connection and a sense of belonging, and access to information and education. Recommendations and a checklist were developed to assist services to increase the involvement of mental health consumers in community-based exercise and to ensure that exercise practitioners and their employing organisations are adequately equipped to work with this population.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1071/PY17136
Abstract: Australians experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and who require services from multiple agencies, experience a fragmented service delivery system. In 2014, the Commonwealth Government introduced the Partners in Recovery (PIR) service, which provides service coordination and flexible funding to improve outcomes for this group of people. This study presents qualitative findings from a research project that aimed to understand the experiences of PIR participants, including aspects of the planning process and the effectiveness of the PIR program in meeting their needs from the perspective of the participant, their carer or family member and other support people within their lives. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 stakeholders involved in the PIR program, of which 14 were participants, 17 were members of the participant’s support network and three were members of a consumer and carer advisory group. Overall participation in the PIR program had a positive effect on the participant’s lives. Relationships with the support facilitators were seen as an important element of the process, along with a focus on recovery-oriented goals and advocacy and linking to other agencies. These findings are important for informing the roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia, which will replace PIR.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-10-2022
DOI: 10.1177/00178969221130461
Abstract: The Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Mental Illness in Community Pharmacy ( PharMIbridge) randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to test the effectiveness of a pharmacist-led support service in improving medication adherence, and the physical and mental health of people living with severe and persistent mental illness compared to a standard medication review service. Using the six-step intervention mapping (IM) framework, this paper describes the development and content of the PharMIbridge pharmacist training programme, an integral part of the RCT implementation, and continuous adaptations made to the process to keep pace with the evolving severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Australia. A Training Working Group comprising health educators, practitioners, mental health consumers and researchers, refined the programme objectives and assisted with developing content and troubleshooting issues related to training delivery for pharmacists randomised to the RCT intervention arm. A 2-day training programme was developed, which included Mental Health First Aid, simulated patient role-plays, and four pre-recorded modules using lectures, demonstration case vignettes, role-play activities and discussion. The programme, co-facilitated by project team members and mentors (pharmacist and consumer educators), aims to enhance pharmacists’ mental health literacy, skills and confidence and empower them to engage with this vulnerable population using a strengths-based approach. Pre- and post-training questionnaires and interviews will be used to evaluate the impact of the PharMIbridge training programme. The systematic stepwise method provided by the IM framework highlights the solution-focused approach adopted by the project team and characteristics including adaptability and resilience which enabled training development and implementation across four Australian regions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 03-12-2020
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0243284
Abstract: Participation in creative activities has been linked with positive outcomes for people with mental illness. This longitudinal qualitative study is a one-year follow-up of eight mental health consumers who participated in a series of creative workshops in Brisbane, Australia that aimed to increase participants’ capacity and skills in sharing their stories of recovery with others. It also sought to understand successful factors of the creative workshops to inform future workshops. Semi-structured interviews gathered information regarding participants’ memories of the workshops and how they had shared their stories with others over the preceding 12 months. Interpretative phenomenological analysis identified that participants’ enjoyed being engaged in a range of creative mediums in a group setting that peer mentor support was highly valued and that participants’ recovery stories had become more positive and were shared more often and openly with others. Overall, participation in the creative workshops had long-lasting benefits for participants with respect to improved confidence and understanding about their illness. Future creative workshops should consider the inclusion of peer mentors with lived experience as a support for participants to reauthor their recovery story.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 12-02-2019
DOI: 10.1108/MHSI-08-2018-0029
Abstract: Participation in creative activities have been linked with increased personal agency. The purpose of this paper is to address critical considerations in the development of community-based creative workshops for people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and explores participant experiences of these workshops. The workshops aimed to build the skills and capacities of participants and provide alternative ways to communicate identity and recovery stories. They were designed to provide a range of creative opportunities for participants (visual arts, writing, dance and music) and were facilitated by practising artists. In total, 11 participants attended ten creative workshops over three months. On completion, a focus group was conducted to gather participant views, experiences and outcomes of the workshops. The creative workshops supported the recovery of participants. The inclusion of peer mentors in the workshops was an important in facilitating connectedness. This study advances the evidence that creative arts can support the psychological and social aspects of participants’ recovery journeys. Creative activities can promote positive self-identity and reduce self-stigma for people experiencing mental illness. It highlights the importance of using evidence in the design of creative workshops and supports the use of peer mentoring in group creative processes.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-03-2018
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 22-03-2019
DOI: 10.1108/HESWBL-08-2018-0081
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of students and teachers who had participated in a postgraduate work-based praxis course within a Master of mental health practice qualification. This qualitative study used an interpretative phenomenological approach to understand the lived experience of students and course convenors participating in a work-based praxis course. Seven students and two convenors were recruited. Interview and reflective portfolio data were analysed thematically. The main themes identified were the importance of planning, the value of partnerships, the significance of learning in the workplace and how the facilitation of work-based learning differs from coursework. Work-based learning within postgraduate coursework qualifications can support higher-level learning, knowledge and skills has received limited attention in the literature. This study supported the value of providing postgraduate students with work-based learning opportunities, resulting in the application of new or advanced skills, within their existing work roles. This study is important, because it provides insights into the student experience of postgraduate work-based learning and the impact of this learning on professional practice.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 05-10-2020
Abstract: This cross-sectional quantitative study investigated parents’ perceptions of the quality of family-centered practice in an early intervention service for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing through the use of the Measures of Processes of Care (MPOC-56). The results indicated that the majority of families accessing the service were satisfied with the family-centered practices they were receiving. Consistent with previous studies in different disability settings, families were least satisfied with the provision of general information regarding the child’s disability, identifying further access to unbiased information and resources is needed. This highlighted a tension in the role of organizations operating within in idualized funding models in regard to who is responsible for the dissemination of reliable and evidence-based general information. As the MPOC-56 has not been used in deaf or hard of hearing populations previously, this study found it was an appropriate measure for caregiver perceptions of family-centered practice within this population.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 10-05-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2023
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 13-10-2021
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.13192
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-11-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-021-12076-X
Abstract: Community-based mental health promotion programs focus on improving in idual and community wellbeing by strengthening resilience and building capacity to support positive health outcomes. The Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) is an ex le of such a program, promoting activities that support social engagement and positive emotions within a holistic framework underpinned by positive psychology. WoW is intended to be flexibly implemented in each community, training community members who implement behaviour change activities in their local community, workplace and educational settings. This study aimed to understand the opinions and experiences of a s le of in iduals who had participated in a range of WoW training programs documenting the impact on participant behaviours and professional practices, and how the WoW framework was subsequently employed within their communities. Using Ripple Effects Mapping evaluation processes to guide a focus group, nine WoW training participants collectively reflected on the program impacts, generating consensus themes and a mind map. Mind map qualitative data were entered into XMIND mapping software and reviewed with the focus group transcription and field notes. Thematic analysis identified three themes: increased community involvement and engagement (strengthening community connections) improved health, emotions and behaviour (motivating change to health behaviours) and flexible resources which could be utilised in a range of settings (easily incorporated in the existing organisational cultures). The results of this study support the premise that the WoW framework can be an effective framework for guiding wellbeing promotion activities, with participants ch ioning a ‘ripple effect’ across in idual, family, friendship, professional and community networks.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 08-07-2022
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.13491
Abstract: Functional impairment in people diagnosed with depression is common, although the domain of personal hygiene and grooming has received limited attention in the scholarly literature. While issues concerning personal hygiene and grooming by those experiencing depression have been reported in personal narratives, they are rarely included in symptom lists or treatment guidelines, or as an outcome indicator in research studies. The aim of this research was to better understand how mental health practitioners assessed, understood and worked with, service users diagnosed with depression who had previously exhibited declining personal hygiene and grooming standards. In-depth interviews (n = 16) explored the views of professionals experienced in this area of mental health practice. A qualitative descriptive methodology was utilised. Findings indicated that for some service users, personal hygiene and grooming issues were an integral aspect of their depression, which negatively impacted recovery, particularly in areas concerned with overall functioning, mood, social and vocational engagement, motivation, self-worth and esteem, and engagement with treatment. Study results supported the benefits of a person-centred approach to assess, engage with and intervene effectively when a decline in personal hygiene and grooming was noted. However, lack of pertinent research is a barrier to appropriately assessing specific skill or performance difficulties when declining standards are observed. This impedes the provision of interventions which might support the person to develop and maintain of personal hygiene routines, which conform to socially acceptable standards. Difficulties with personal hygiene and grooming presented both a barrier to recovery and an opportunity for timely and salient intervention. Further investigation is needed to build the research evidence needed to develop appropriate and acceptable interventions, and to inform effective treatment strategies.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-07-2023
DOI: 10.1111/HEX.13818
Abstract: Person‐centred goal planning is increasingly being incorporated into healthcare interventions. People experiencing severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMIs) have high levels of co‐occurring health conditions, reducing their life expectancy when compared with the general population. As medications are commonly used in the treatment of SPMIs, community pharmacists are well‐placed to support the health and wellbeing of this population. To examine pharmacists' and service users' experiences of goal planning as a component of a community pharmacy‐based health intervention for people experiencing SPMIs ( PharMIbridge intervention). This study utilised a qualitative exploratory approach with an interpretive description method. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with community pharmacists ( n = 16) and service user participants ( n = 26) who had participated in pharmacist support services for people experiencing SPMIs ( PharMIbridge intervention ) . Four themes relating to goal planning were identified. First, goal planning provided purpose and motivation for participation in the intervention. Planning realistic goals was important but often challenging. Both pharmacists and service users highlighted the relational aspects of goal planning and how strong relationships supported positive behaviour change and outcomes. Finally, in idualised and flexible approaches were important aspects of the intervention, ensuring goals were meaningful to service users. The findings from this study identified positive outcomes from the inclusion of goal‐planning processes in a community pharmacy‐based health intervention. Further research regarding tools, strategies or training that could support future goal‐planning interventions in primary healthcare is needed. The PharMIbridge randomised controlled trial research team included lived experience members and was overseen by an expert panel that included members with a lived experience of mental illness and representatives from key organisations. The training provided to pharmacists was co‐designed and co‐delivered by the researchers and lived experience representatives, and pharmacists were supported by lived experience mentors. Service user participants were invited to participate in the interviews through a number of pathways (e.g., at the completion of the intervention, flyers). Those interested were provided with the full study participant information and provided with a $30 gift voucher at the conclusion of the interview.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 15-01-2021
DOI: 10.1093/BJSW/BCAA242
Abstract: Whilst the value of lived experience in the helping process is recognised in a range of settings including mental health, disability and substance addiction, the understanding of therole of lived experience of incarceration in the helping process is less developed. This is relevant to the question of gatekeeping into the social work profession. A heightened focus on risk has resulted in limited opportunity for those with a history of incarceration from studying and practising social work. Little is known about how a lived experience of incarceration influences the helping relationship, and in turn we know very little about the implications for service users of having reduced access to social workers who have experienced imprisonment. To better understand the current state of knowledge regarding the role of lived experience of incarceration in the helping process, a scoping review of the literature was undertaken. A thematic analysis of sixty-one articles published before 2019 was undertaken and consensus was achieved on four themes: stigma and discrimination trust and authenticity role modelling and hope and, power and agency. The findings include recommendations for more nuanced policy regarding the restriction of those with a lived experience of incarceration entering the social work profession.
Publisher: Griffith University
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.25904/1912/2992
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-05-2022
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.607
Abstract: Well‐being intervention frameworks may help improve well‐being. The Wheel of Well‐being (WoW) is designed to empower in iduals to understand and use the WoW framework for themselves, their communities and in workplaces. This paper evaluates the well‐being impacts on participants of a well‐being capacity building programme using WoW, in Australia. The programme collected quantitative data from participants at two time points, once at the beginning of the programme (Time 1) and on the final session (Time 2). Surveys assessed well‐being outcomes as well as life satisfaction, knowledge and understanding of well‐being and behavioural changes. Results of a total of 162 participants were included in this evaluation of the programme across nine cohorts. Between Time 1 and Time 2 the participants saw a small, but significant increase in well‐being scores, with no difference between age groups. The number of participants regarded as having a “High” well‐being score increased from 11% to 24%. Increases in knowledge, understanding and the implementation of actions and behaviours to improve well‐being were also observed. This evaluation provides evidence that participation in a short, intensive WoW programme can positively impact well‐being, behaviour and knowledge and understanding regarding well‐being. This suggests WoW may be an effective framework around which in iduals can improve their well‐being. Consideration should be given to the implementation of comprehensive health promotion frameworks, including WoW, to improve the well‐being of in iduals. Further evaluation is needed to see if improved well‐being is maintained over longer time periods.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 19-12-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FPSYT.2022.1057915
Abstract: Goal planning is routinely employed in mental health service delivery to identify priorities for treatment and support the achievement and evaluation of outcomes. Previous systematic reviews of the literature have focused on the use of goal planning in a range of physical and cognitive disability settings, but there is a lack of information regarding how goal planning is used in mental healthcare. This systematic integrative review aimed to understand the types of goals, effectiveness of goal planning, the experience of goal planning and barriers and facilitators to effective goal planning in mental healthcare settings. Five databases were systematically searched using key terms related to mental health AND goal planning. The search was supplemented through citation chaining. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis approach to data analysis was undertaken. Fifty-four studies were identified through the search of the literature following the PRISMA guidelines. Data was systematically extracted and thematically organized. There was a high level of heterogeneity among the studies, originating from a range of countries and with erse characteristics and focus. Four themes emerged from the data analysis and included: (i) goal planning as a central aspect of interventions (ii) types of goals planned (iii) factors that influenced goal planning and/or attainment and (iv) collaboration and concordance in goal planning. This review found some support for the use of goal planning to improve outcomes in mental healthcare although there was no identified standardized approach to the use of goal planning. In idualized, recovery-oriented and collaborative goal planning was recommended but not always used in practice. Further research to understanding the most appropriate skills and training needed to support collaborative and effective goal planning is needed. [ www.crd.york.ac.uk rospero/ ], identifier [CRD42020220595].
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.SAPHARM.2022.06.003
Abstract: Goal setting is widely used in mental healthcare, yet there is limited information about goal development between community pharmacists and people experiencing mental health conditions. i) To review goals developed in partnership between Australian community pharmacists and people experiencing depression/anxiety, and ii) categorize goals and develop a taxonomy. Community pharmacists (n = 142) who had completed a mental health training program provided an in idualized medication support service and documented goal planning for 350 people experiencing anxiety and/or depression. Goals were reviewed using a general inductive content analysis to develop themes which were then grouped, categorized, and coded. This involved three researchers in different phases of the coding, repeated review and redrafting of the taxonomy, and inter-rater reliability consistency checks. The goals (n = 749) represented a erse range of health behaviors and outcomes (e.g., medication adherence, relationships, leisure activities). The resulting taxonomy involved five overarching domains: improved health satisfaction with life manage physical illnesses manage mental health and use of medicines. Pharmacists have a role in providing person-centered care and addressing social determinants of health by considering factors that contribute to a person's overall wellbeing. While further testing is necessary, the taxonomy is valuable for pharmacists unfamiliar with supporting goal development with people experiencing anxiety and/or depression.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 24-09-2022
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211048410
Abstract: People living with severe and persistent mental illness experience poorer physical health, often due to medication and preventable lifestyle factors, and exacerbated by barriers to accessing healthcare services. Pharmacists are well-positioned to improve the physical and mental health of this population. However, little is known about pharmacists’ current practices when providing services to this population nor the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on consumer health outcomes. We undertook a systematic review to identify, describe and assess the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions for supporting people living with severe and persistent mental illness and the impact on consumer outcomes. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses were searched between January 1990 and April 2020. Full-text studies exploring pharmacist-led interventions in any setting for people living with severe and persistent mental illness were included. A risk of bias assessment was conducted. A total of 37 studies were included. More than half of the pharmacist interventions were multifaceted. The most common components of pharmacist-led interventions included education and/or patient counselling, providing recommendations to healthcare professionals and conducting medication reviews. Multifaceted interventions demonstrated improvements in clinical outcomes, whereas single interventions focused mostly on consumer-reported outcomes. The methodological quality of included studies was moderate-to-high risk of bias and there was considerable heterogeneity in the study design, interventions described, and outcomes reported. There is evidence that pharmacist-led interventions improve consumer-reported and clinical outcomes for people living with severe and persistent mental illness. Pharmacists are capable and have a role in supporting people living with severe and persistent mental illness, either in idually or as interprofessional collaborators with other healthcare professionals. Future research should attempt to better understand which particular intervention components have the greatest impact and also evaluate the implementation and long-term sustainability of such interventions.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-047240
Abstract: Goal planning is widely recognised as an integral part of mental health service delivery and an important element in supporting recovery. Goal planning identifies priorities for treatment through discussion and negotiation between service users and health practitioners. Goal planning enhances motivation, directs effort, and focuses the development of strategies and treatment options to improve recovery outcomes and promote service users’ ownership of the recovery process. While goal planning is a common practice in mental health settings, evidence regarding its impact on treatment outcomes is lacking. This paper outlines a protocol for a systematic review that aims to explore the types of goals planned, experiences of service users and practitioners, and the effectiveness of goal planning as a mental health intervention. A systematic search will be conducted during March 2021 by searching Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and PsycINFO electronic databases to answer the following questions: (1) What types of goals are being developed within mental healthcare? (2) What is the evidence for the effectiveness of goal planning on health and well-being for mental health service users? (3) What are the experiences of mental health service users and their treating healthcare practitioners in relation to goal planning? and (4) What are the barriers and facilitators to effective goal planning in mental health settings? Two independent researchers will screen the articles, selecting literature that meets criteria. All literature, regardless of study design that involves adult participants, with a mental illness and reporting on goal planning will be considered for inclusion. Data will be extracted from all eligible articles regardless of study design and summarised in a table. Appropriate quality assessment and data synthesis methods will be determined based on included study designs. No ethics approval is required. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. CRD42020220595.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 14-09-2012
DOI: 10.1108/17556221211269938
Abstract: Mental health workforce development is crucial to successful mental health care reform. A postgraduate programme was developed in 2008 at Griffith University, Australia, to address this need. The programme was developed with an interprofessional focus and in an online format to ensure access for people with work or other commitments or living in rural and remote areas. This paper aims to describe the programme and outcomes of the evaluation. The research involved mixed methods using semi‐structured interviews, brief sturctured interviews and a survey to allow triangulation of data. Ten people (two graduates and eight external key informants) were interviewed, 21 students who had withdrawn participated in a brief telephone interview and 20 current students completed the survey. Overall the programme was viewed as providing a relevant contemporary qualification for the mental health sector. The online delivery offered flexibility, the interdisciplinary approach to learning was appreciated and the work‐based placements were highly valued. Mixed teaching‐learning modes employing a combination of online and supervised work‐based experience most effectively facilitated consolidation of knowledge in graduates. Enrolling students from a range of disciplines facilitates interdisciplinary learning, enhancing students' ability to understand other health professional's perspectives and work more effectively as a team. Mental health tertiary programmes need to have a clear focus and understanding of the workforce needs, include work based learning experiences and address discipline specific as well as interdisciplinary learning needs to ensure students are work‐ready on graduation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-08-2023
DOI: 10.1111/INM.13207
Abstract: The mental health Lived Experience workforce (also referred to as peer workforce) is growing rapidly internationally and within Australia. Peer workers are increasingly employed within multi‐ and inter‐disciplinary teams, often directly supervised by mental health professionals such as nurses. Professional supervision has been identified as fundamental for implementing a sustainable peer workforce, but significant gaps in the literature remain, in particular, an understanding of appropriate supervision practices. This scoping review synthesized academic and grey literature on Lived Experience supervision in Australia, exploring current thoughts on best practices. Four electronic databases were searched, and grey literature was located via Google Advanced searches, contacting Lived Experience experts and conducting web‐based desktop searches of key mental health organization websites. Thematic analysis identified and described key characteristics in relation to how supervision is conceptualized and operationalized. Eight peer‐reviewed and 46 grey literature documents describing supervision and supervisory practices were analysed. Of these studies, 26 were Lived Experience‐led. Analysis revealed four key themes: (i) defining peer supervision, (ii) variability in understanding the purpose of supervision, (iii) approaches to supervision and the need for choice and flexibility, and (iv) qualities and skills of the supervisor. Additionally, the establishment of a national professional organization for peer workers was highlighted to protect the authenticity of Lived Experience roles and develop an effective workforce. Clearly, a sustainable Lived Experience workforce cannot develop in isolation, and mental health nurses, as important allies in mental healthcare, need to work alongside, plan and advocate for appropriate supervision practices for this emerging workforce.
Publisher: School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University
Date: 28-07-2016
DOI: 10.36251/JOSI.106
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Qld Alliance
Date: 2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-07-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-020-09237-9
Abstract: Young people face significant challenges when managing a mental illness, such as acquiring treatment autonomy, being inexperienced users of the healthcare system and associated peer-related stigma. While medication use can be challenging in its own right, there is comparatively little information about the associated experiences and needs of young people with mental illness, particularly in the Australian context. This exploratory study will provide valuable insight into how this group is currently supported in relation to medication use. Young people (aged 14–25 years) who had used a prescription medication for any mental illness for a minimum of 2 months were eligible to participate in this qualitative exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2017–September 2018 in consultation rooms at two youth-focused mental health support organisations in Brisbane, Queensland. Interview questions explored how participants managed their medication and related experiences. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and descriptively analysed using thematic analysis. Eighteen young people discussed their lived experience during interviews averaging 50 min in duration. Finding the right medication that reduced symptom severity with minimal side-effects was identified as a complex experience for many, particularly when there was a lack of information, support or reduced financial capacity. Young people described a range of strategies to manage medication side-effects, changes and to support routine medication use. Young people persevered with taking medication to manage a mental illness within a healthcare system that does not adequately support this vulnerable population. There remains a clear directive for healthcare professionals to provide credible information that proactively engages young people as healthcare participants, and for policy makers to consider financial burden for this population with limited financial capacity.
Publisher: School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University
Date: 14-06-2012
DOI: 10.36251/JOSI.46
No related grants have been discovered for Victoria Stewart.