On line forums: implications for mental health nurses
| Published date | 14 June 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2012-0009 |
| Pages | 60-65 |
| Date | 14 June 2013 |
| Author | Ann Mitchell,John Rowe,Sheila Counihan |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
On line forums: implications for mental
health nurses
Ann Mitchell, John Rowe and Sheila Counihan
Ann Mitchell, John Rowe and
Sheila Counihan are based at
the Open University, Milton
Keynes, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the evidence for the use of on-line forums within
education and their use in working with service users with mental health problems. The paper also outlines
the key characteristics of the online facilitator. The authors propose that nurse education is well placed to
develop students on-line forum participation and moderation programme.
Design/methodology/approach – The authors reviewed the literature to assess the current evidence.
Findings – Much of the literature was international, mainly from Asia Pacific, the USA and Europe but there
was limited research and position papers from the UK. The use of forums was discussed but there is a
paucity of research, particularly in relation to the use of on-line forums within mental health. The literature
identifies and gives an insight into the complexities of using on-line forums.
Research limitations/implications – Research limitations: this is a systematic literature review but only
English language papers were consulted. Also the authors drew on their personal experiences of working
with students in an on-line learning environment to inform this paper. Implications: educators need to
develop a change in attitude with regard to the use of on-line learning. Many are used to face-to-face
teaching and still regard it as the most stimulating and appropriate way for knowledge development.
Specific collaborative and interactive skills are considered to be desirable when engaging in on-line forums.
These have to be learned by both the moderator and the students. Mental health nurses should be
encouraged to perceive the skills of forum facilitation in a positive way when engaging with service users and
can add to their repertoire of skills.
Practical implications – The authors suggest that more research is needed within this area on on-line
forums, with particular emphasis on how student nurses engage in on-line forums. It is felt that nurses, given
proper preparation and effective training, are well placed to carry out the role. Partnership working could be
developed with universities and NHS Trusts to develop Trust’s staff skills and expertise in the moderation
of forums, as universities have the skills and experience. However supervision would be essential for
moderators to develop appropriate pedagogic tools to facilitate what is a complex process.
Social implications – The authors suggest making better use of available technology and empowering the
service user to take ownership of the way they engage with professionals.
Originality/value – This appears to be an area that is under researched and considering the increasing
usage of social networking as a means of peer support, there is scope for this to be transferred to
professional practice.
Keywords Social networking sites, Internet, Online access, On-line forums, Mental health services,
Nurses, Mental health nursing, Education, Moderation
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
Information and communication technologies support every aspect of our lives (Audit
Commission, 2010; Kirkwood, 2009). Technology has been anintegral part of nursing practice
for many years through the use of equipment, for example, blood pressure monitors and
thermometers. Nurses encounter computerised records, electronic care plans and cognitive
behavioural therapy packages on a daily basis (NICE, 2006). Within the broader field of mental
health, information sharing, education and therapeutic interventions involve the use of both
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THE JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
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VOL. 8 NO. 2 2013, pp. 60-65, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228 DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-05-2012-0009
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