Challenges of measuring the influence of the Recovery Academy upon health professionals: considerations for quantitative research
| Pages | 149-155 |
| Date | 13 May 2019 |
| Published date | 13 May 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2018-0027 |
| Author | Rebecca Sutton,Paul French |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Mental health education |
Challenges of measuring the influence of
the Recovery Academy upon health
professionals: considerations for
quantitative research
Rebecca Sutton and Paul French
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to reflect upon experiences of measuring the influences of the
Recovery Academy within Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) NHS Foundation Trust amongst a
student population of health professionals. This paper aims to present considerations for future quantitative
research surrounding the efficacy of Recovery Colleges such as the Recovery Academy.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper utilised baseline data collected from health professionals as
part of a quantitative evaluation of the Recovery Academy. The paper discusses challenges experienced in
measuring change amongst this student population within GMMH.
Findings –Health professionals reported positive attitudes towards recovery at baseline presenting
challenges in measuring attitudinal change associated with the Recovery Academy. The experiences of
conducting research amongst health professionals within GMMH offers insights into the selection and use of
self-report measures in Recovery College research; the representativeness of health professional student
populations; and models of course attendance within Recovery Colleges.
Originality/value –The existing literature specific to Recovery College influences upon health
professionals remains predominantly qualitative and anecdotal. It is important to gather empirical
evidence regarding Recovery Colleges to establish their ability to re-orientate health professionals around
principles of recovery. This paper therefore offers considerations for future researchers aiming to gather
empirical evidence which may facilitate quantitative evaluations of Recovery Colleges such as the Recovery
Academy amongst staff populations.
Keywords Stigma, Recovery colleges, Quantitative research, Health professionals, Recovery attitudes
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
The principlesof recovery represent a move awayfrom pathology and symptomreduction towards
an emphasis on hope and personal discovery (Shepherd et al., 2008). The Department of Health
(2011) commissioned the “Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change Programme”
in order to provide guidance to services as a means of re-orientating them around recovery
principles (Boardman and Shepherd, 2009; Perkins et al., 2017; Shepherd et al., 2010). Ten key
organisational challenges were outlined which need to be addressed in order for services to
become more recovery focussed (Shepherd et al., 2010). It is argued “Recover y Education
Centres”otherwise known as “Recovery Colleges”embody the principles of recovery and are
therefore central in driving organisational change (Shepherd et al., 2010; Perkins et al., 2012).
Recovery Colleges utilise an educational approach, providing a curriculum of courses which
supportsthe student to developskills and a greaterunderstandingof recovery (Perkinset al., 2012).
An emphasis on the co-production and co-development of the course content between health
professionals, relatives and carers and service users is a defining feature of “Recovery Colleges”
Received 30 April 2018
Revised 8 November 2018
Accepted 20 December 2018
The authors thank the course
administrators at the Recovery
Academy within Greater
Manchester Mental Health NHS
Foundation Trust for raising
awareness of the study locally to
support research study
recruitment. The study would also
like to thank the Psychosis
Research Unit within Greater
Manchester Mental Health NHS
Foundation Trust who utilised
existing resources to fund the
study. The authors alone are
responsible for this paper and
report no declaration of interest.
Rebecca Sutton is based at
Psychosis Research Unit,
Greater Manchester Mental
Health NHS Foundation Trust,
Prestwich, UK.
Paul French is based at
Psychosis Research Unit,
Greater Manchester Mental
Health NHS Foundation Trust,
Prestwich, UK and Institute of
Psychology, Health and
Society, University of Liverpool,
Liverpool, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2018-0027 VOL. 14 NO. 3 2019, pp. 149-155, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228
j
THE JOURNAL OF MENTALHEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
j
PAGE149
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