The perceptions of health professionals of the implementation of Recovery-oriented health services: a case study analysis
| Published date | 29 November 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2012-0005 |
| Date | 29 November 2013 |
| Pages | 208-218 |
| Author | Catherine Hungerford,Patricia Kench |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Mental health education |
The perceptions of health professionals of
the implementation of Recovery-oriented
health services: a case study analysis
Catherine Hungerford and Patricia Kench
Patricia Kench is based at
University of Canberra,
Canberra, Australia, where
Dr Catherine Hungerford is an
Academic.
Abstract
Purpose – Recovery approaches to healthcare are now an important feature of the mental health policies
and plans of many western countries. However, there are continuing challenges to the operationalisation of
these approaches. The purpose of this paper is to consider how to overcome these challenges, using insights
gained from health managers and practitioners who have been involved in the process of implementation.
Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is undertaken through a descriptive single-case
embedded study of the implementation of Recovery into a public mental health service in Australia. The unit
of analysis that features in this paper is the perceptions of the implementation of Recovery-oriented
services, of health managers and practitioners.
Findings – The analysis suggests that although health service managers followed many of the
recommendations that can be found in the research literature to support achievement of Recovery-oriented
services, there was a need to go further. For example, practitioners in the case study context were educated
about the principles of Recovery and provided with new processes of clinical documentation to support their
work, however these practitioners felt they were ill-equipped to address complex issues of practice,
including the management of clinical risk and professional accountability issues. This raises questions about
the content of the education and training provided, and also about the ongoing support provided to
practitioners who work within a Recovery-oriented framework.
Originality/value – The descriptive single-case embedded study of the implementation of Recovery is the
first of its kind in Australia. Findings of the study provide insight for other health service organisations
committed to effectively implementing Recovery-oriented services.
Keywords Implementation, Organizational change, Health professionals, Recovery-oriented services,
Training and education
Paper type Case study
Recovery is a consumer-centred approach to healthcare that is characterised by notions of
hope, acceptance, community connectedness, self-determination, shared decision making
and peer support (Corrigan et al., 2012; Deegan, 2007; Deegan and Drake, 2006). Recovery-
oriented services are now a feature of mental health policies and plans in countries such
as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK (Cleary and Dowling, 2009). However, the
achievement of Recovery-in-practice continues to challenge many health service organisations
(Newman and Kulmann, 2011; Smith-Merry et al., 2011).
This paper considers why Recovery-in-practice remains a policy challenge, by analysing the
perceptions of health professionals – practitioners and managers – who have been directly
involved with the implementation of Recovery in a public mental health service organisation in a
major urban centre in Australia. Insights gained from the analysis are used to develop strategies
to enable the more effective implementation of Recovery-oriented services in other public health
service contexts.
The lead author would like to
acknowledge the financial support
received to undertake this
research, first by the Health and
Medical Research Support
Program, which is administered by
the ACT Health Directorate of the
Government of the Australia Capital
Territory (ACT); and second, by the
ACT Nurses and Midwives Board.
It is also important to acknowledge
the contribution of Donna
Hodgson.
PAGE 208
j
THE JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE
j
VOL. 8 NO. 4 2013, pp. 208-218, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1755-6228 DOI 10.1108/JMHTEP-04-2012-0005
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