Methodological procedures for priority setting mental health research: a systematic review summarising the methods, designs and frameworks involved with priority setting.

BACKGROUND: Research priority setting aims to identify research gaps within particular health fields. Given the global burden of mental illness and underfunding of mental health research compared to other health topics, knowledge of methodological procedures may raise the quality of priority setting to identify research with value and impact. However, to date there has been no comprehensive review on the approaches adopted with priority setting projects that identify mental health research, despite viewed as essential knowledge to address research gaps. Hence, the paper presents a summary of the methods, designs, and existing frameworks that can be adopted for prioritising mental health research to inform future prioritising projects. METHOD: A systematic review of electronic databases located prioritisation literature, while a critical interpretive synthesis was adopted whereby the appraisal of methodological procedures was integrated into the synthesis of the findings. The synthesis was shaped using the good practice checklist for priority setting by Viergever and colleagues drawing on their following categories to identify and appraise methodological procedures: (1) Comprehensive Approach-frameworks/designs guiding the entire priority setting; (2) Inclusiveness -participation methods to aid the equal contribution of stakeholders; (3) Information Gathering-data collecting methods to identify research gaps, and (4) Deciding Priorities-methods to finalise priorities. RESULTS: In total 903 papers were located with 889 papers removed as either duplicates or not meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 14 papers were identified, describing 13 separate priority setting projects. Participatory approaches were the dominant method adopted but existing prioritisation frameworks were modified with little explanation regarding the rationale, processes for adaptation and theoretical foundation. Processes were predominately researcher led, although with some patient involvement. Surveys and consensus building methods gathered information while ranking systems and thematic analysis tend to generate finalised priorities. However, limited evidence found about transforming priorities into actual research projects and few described plans for implementation to promote translation into user-informed research. CONCLUSION: Prioritisation projects may benefit from justifying the methodological approaches taken to identify mental health research, stating reasons for adapting frameworks alongside reasons for adopting particular methods, while finalised priorities should be worded in such a way as to facilitate their easy translation into research projects.

Person-centred oral hydration care for older people with dementia admitted to acute hospital wards: Empirical research qualitative.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To conduct an in-depth exploration of oral hydration care provided to people living with dementia in acute hospital wards, using a person-centred care framework. BACKGROUND: Oral hydration care is an important, yet rarely explored aspect of fundamental care for people with dementia admitted to acute hospitals. Using person-centred care as a conceptual framework we investigated how oral hydration care is delivered for people living with dementia in acute hospital wards. DESIGN: A qualitative, multiple-case study. The cases were three acute wards in one hospital. METHODS: Direct observation of care for 13 people with dementia (132 h), semistructured interviews with ward staff (n = 28), ward leaders (n = 4), organisational leaders (n = 5), people with dementia (n = 6), their relatives (n = 5), documentary analysis of clinical inpatient records (n = 26) and relevant hospital policies. Data were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) The acute hospital: oral hydration is obscured and not prioritised (2) Overshadowing of oral hydration at ward level (3) Siloed nature of hydration roles (4) Strategies for, and barriers to, delivering person-centred oral hydration care. CONCLUSIONS: This study combines the concept of person-centred care and oral hydration care for people living with dementia admitted to acute hospital wards, demonstrating that person-centred hydration care was complex and not prioritised. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses should consider means of improving prioritisation and cohesive delivery of person-centred hydration care in acute hospital wards.

Hyperbaric Oxygen as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Venous Ulcers: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in diabetic wounds has been studied extensively. Even though venous insufficiency is the most common cause of lower limb ulceration, there is comparatively little evidence regarding the use of HBOT for Venous Leg Ulcers (VLU). We performed a systematic-review to evaluate and synthesise available evidence, to evaluate whether patients with VLU, when treated with HBOT, had greater rates of (i) complete VLU healing or (ii) reduction in VLU area, than controls. METHODS: In keeping with PRISMA guidelines, database searches of PubMed, Scopus and Embase was performed. After removal of duplicates, titles were screened for relevance by two authors, then abstracts, and in turn full text manuscripts. Data were extracted from relevant sources including one published abstract. Included studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) and Risk Of Bias In Nonrandomized Studies (ROBINS-I) tools. RESULTS: Six studies were included. There was significant heterogeneity across the studies, with no standard control intervention, method of outcome reporting, or duration of follow up. Two studies reported 12 week follow up results and pooled analysis of complete ulcer healing showed no statistically significant difference between HBOT and controls for the outcome of complete ulcer healing OR 1.54 (95%CI = .50-4.75) P = .4478. A similar non-signifiacnt result was seen in four studies reporting 5-6 week follow up; OR 5.39 (95%CI = .57-259.57) P = .1136. Change in VLU area was reported in all studies, and pooled standardised mean difference was 1.70 (95%CI = .60 to 2.79) P = .0024, indicating a statistically significant benefit of HBOT in reducing ulcer area. CONCLUSION: Existing evidence suggests that HBOT does not significantly affect complete healing of VLU. There is a statistically significant benefit in terms of reducing ulcer size, though in the absence of ulcer healing the clinical significance of this is not established. Current evidence does not justify widespread use of HBOT for VLU.

Varicose veins as a risk factor for venous thromboembolism in arthroplasty patients: Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A meta-analysis to determine if patients with varicose veins are at an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) when undergoing major lower limb arthroplasty. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using appropriate terms for studies that reported post-operative VTE in patients who had lower limb arthroplasty with any history of varicose veins. Methodological quality of included studies was quantified using the Risk of Bias (ROB) assessment tools. Findings were reported using the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE) checklist. RESULTS: A total of 129 studies were identified with 11 observational studies being eligible for inclusion. This consisted of 265,194 patients who underwent lower limb arthroplasty, 2188 of which had pre-existing varicose veins. Overall, VTE occurred in 1845 patients, and 122 cases had varicose veins present at time of arthroplasty. Meta-analysis indicates that patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty with varicose veins are at increased risk of having a VTE, OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.54-3.63, (p < 0.001). One study evaluated if previous varicose veins surgery influenced the risk of VTE in arthroplasty patients, OR 0.96 (95% CI 0.7-1.28), p = 0.429. CONCLUSIONS: Varicose veins and lower limb arthroplasty are known independent risk factors for VTE. There is a paucity of data regarding the risk of VTE in patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty who have co-existing varicose veins. This meta-analysis shows that patients with varicose veins are at an increased risk of VTE when undergoing major lower limb arthroplasty. Further studies are required in order to determine if such patients should undergo varicose vein surgery before undertaking major lower limb joint replacement.

Crisis-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) in acute mental health inpatient settings (the CRISIS study): protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) has an established evidence base and is recommended by clinical guidelines to be offered during the acute phases of psychosis. However, few research studies have examined the efficacy of CBTp interventions specifically adapted for the acute mental health inpatient context with most research trials being conducted with white European community populations. AIMS: The aim of this study is to conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT), which incorporates the examination of feasibility markers, of a crisis-focused CBTp intervention adapted for an ethnically diverse acute mental health inpatient population, in preparation for a large-scale randomised controlled trial. The study will examine the feasibility of undertaking the trial, the acceptability and safety of the intervention and the suitability of chosen outcome measures. This will inform the planning of a future, fully powered RCT. METHODS: A single-site, parallel-group, pilot RCT will be conducted examining the intervention. Drawing on principles of coproduction, the intervention has been adapted in partnership with key stakeholders: service users with lived experience of psychosis and of inpatient care (including those from ethnic minority backgrounds), carers, multi-disciplinary inpatient clinicians and researchers. Sixty participants with experience of psychosis and in current receipt of acute mental health inpatient care will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the crisis-focused CBTp intervention or treatment as usual (TAU). DISCUSSION: Findings of this pilot RCT will indicate whether a larger multi-site RCT is needed to investigate the efficacy of the intervention. If the initial results demonstrate that this trial is feasible and the intervention is acceptable, it will provide evidence that a full-scale effectiveness trial may be warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been prospectively registered on the ISRCTN registry ( ISRCTN59055607 ) on the 18th of February 2021.

Florence Nightingale's legacy for clinical academics: A framework analysis of a clinical professorial network and a model for clinical academia.

BACKGROUND: Clinical academic nursing roles are rare, and clinical academic leadership positions even more scarce. Amongst the United Kingdom (UK) academia, only 3% of nurses who are employed within universities are clinically active. Furthermore, access to research fellowships and research grant funding for nurses in clinical or academic practice is also limited. The work of Florence Nightingale, the original role model for clinical academic nursing, is discussed in terms of how this has shaped and influenced that of clinical academic nurse leaders in modern UK healthcare settings. We analysed case studies with a view to providing exemplars and informing a new model by which to visualise a trajectory of clinical academic careers. METHODS: A Framework analysis of seven exemplar cases was conducted for a network of Clinical Academic Nursing Professors (n = 7), using a structured template. Independent analysis highlighted shared features of the roles: (a) model of clinical academic practice, (b) infrastructure for the post, (c) capacity-building initiatives, (d) strategic influence, (e) wider influence, (f) local and national implementation initiatives, (g) research area and focus and (h) impact and contribution. FINDINGS: All seven of the professors of nursing involved in this discourse were based in both universities and healthcare organisations in an equal split. All had national and international profiles in their specialist clinical areas and were implementing innovation in their clinical and teaching settings through boundary spanning. We outline a model for career trajectories in clinical academia, and how leadership is crucial. CONCLUSION: The model outlined emphasises the different stages of clinical academic roles in nursing. Nursing as a discipline needs to embrace the value of these roles, which have great potential to raise the standards of healthcare and the status of the profession.

A qualitative study of perceptions of senior health service staff as to factors influencing the development of Advanced Clinical Practice roles in mental health services.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) are, typically, non-medical healthcare professionals, who possess advanced clinical skills, a master's level qualification and evidence of leadership, management and research abilities. Most ACPs are nurses and new ACP roles are increasingly being established around the world. The views of senior staff towards new mental health nursing roles in organizations are likely to influence their introduction and sustainability Research on mental health nursing ACP roles is sparse. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The paper uniquely provides specific information as to factors perceived by senior staff as affecting the implementation of ACP roles in mental health services. A wide range of mental health services were perceived as potentially benefiting from ACPs. Establishing role clarity for MHN ACPs is perceived as being as essential to successful introduction of the role, as has been found for other specialities. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Participants identified a need for early engagement with service users and professions about new ACP roles and for processes that can evaluate ACP roles once they established. Some mental health nurses may require long-term developmental pathways to help prepare them to take on a master's level course and then the ACP role. ABSTRACT: Introduction Advanced clinical practice (ACP) roles are increasingly being developed internationally. Identifying factors perceived as affecting the development of ACP can support effective implementation. Aim To understand the views of senior health service staff as to factors influencing the development of ACP roles in mental health services. Method Focus group and semi-structured interviews. Participants were directors of nursing (n = 10) and other senior staff from roles important to workforce development (n = 10). Results Content analysis suggested seven categories: understanding the role and national guidelines, attitudes to the role, learning from implementing other roles, understanding prerequisites for development, challenges, opportunities and future support/actions. Prerequisites for success would include early engagement with stakeholders. Medical attitudes towards ACP roles were perceived as generally more positive than previously. Discussion The study provides unique information regarding perspectives of senior staff regarding the implementation of ACP roles in mental health services. A wide range of mental health services were perceived as potentially benefiting from ACPs, with the importance of role clarity being highlighted and long-term developmental pathways for staff. Implications for practice Successful Implementation of ACP roles may require clear role definition, early engagement with stakeholders and processes to evaluate role outcomes.

Post-intensive care syndrome following cardiothoracic critical care: Feasibility of a complex intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the long-term outcomes of cardiac intensive care unit patients and their primary caregivers, and to explore the feasibility of implementing a complex intervention, designed to support problems associated with post-intensive care syndrome and post-intensive care syndrome-family, in the year following discharge from the cardiac intensive care unit. DESIGN: A complex multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme, delivered as a quality improvement initiative, in a single centre in the West of Scotland. Outcomes were measured using surveys of health related quality of life, self efficacy, anxiety, depression, pain, caregiver strain, and insomnia. PARTICIPANTS: Patients and their caregivers were invited to participate 12 weeks after hospital discharge. Twenty-seven patients and 23 caregivers attended the programme. RESULTS: Over 90% of patients had problems in at least one quality of life domain at baseline, 41% of patients had symptoms of anxiety and 22% had symptoms of depression. During the baseline visit, caregiver strain was present in 20% of caregivers, 57% had symptoms of anxiety, and 35% had symptoms of depression. Improvements in outcomes were seen in both patients and caregivers at 1-year follow-up. The programme was implemented, and iterative learning obtained about the content and the operationalization of the service, in order to understand feasibility. CONCLUSION: This small-scale quality improvement project has demonstrated that this complex multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme is feasible and has positive implications for patients following discharge from the cardiac intensive care unit, and their caregivers.

The RESPECT study: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with serious mental illness in community mental health services in the UK.

BACKGROUND: People with serious mental illness (SMI) have sexual health needs but there is little evidence to inform effective interventions to address them. In fact, there are few studies that have addressed this topic for people with SMI outside USA and Brazil. Therefore, the aim of the study was to establish the acceptability and feasibility of a trial of a sexual health promotion intervention for people with SMI in the UK. METHOD: The RESPECT study was a two-armed randomised controlled, open feasibility trial (RCT) comparing Sexual health promotion intervention (3 individual sessions of 1 h) (I) or treatment as usual (TAU) for adults aged 18 or over, with SMI, within community mental health services in four UK cities. The main outcome of interest was the percentage who consented to participate, and retained in each arm of the trial, retention for the intervention, and completeness of data collection. A nested qualitative study obtained the views of participants regarding the acceptability of the study using individual telephone interviews conducted by lived experience researchers. RESULTS: Of a target sample of 100, a total of 72 people were enrolled in the trial over 12 months. Recruitment in the initial months was low and so an extension was granted. However this extension meant that the later recruited participants would only be followed up to the 3 month point. There was good retention in the intervention and the study as a whole; 77.8% of those allocated to intervention (n = 28) received it. At three months, 81.9% (30 I; 29 TAU) and at 6 months, 76.3% (13 I and 16 TAU) completed the follow-up data collection. No adverse events were reported. There was good completeness of the data. The sexual health outcomes for the intervention group changed in favour of the intervention. Based on analysis of the qualitative interviews, the methods of recruitment, the quality of the participant information, the data collection, and the intervention were deemed to be acceptable to the participants (n = 22). CONCLUSIONS: The target of 100 participants was not achieved within the study's timescale. However, effective strategies were identified that improved recruitment in the final few months. Retention rates and completeness of data in both groups indicate that it is acceptable and feasible to undertake a study promoting sexual health for people with SMI. A fully powered RCT is required to establish effectiveness of the intervention in adoption of safer sex. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN15747739 prospectively registered 5th July 2016.

Dorsalis pedis artery aneurysm.

Aneurysm of the pedal arteries is uncommon. Dorsalis pedis aneurysms are a clinically rare phenomenon. We present a case of traumatic fusiform aneurysm of the dorsalis pedis artery in an otherwise well 53-year-old Caucasian man. Initial history was suggestive of micro-embolic disease to the medial toes of the left foot and on examination pulses were palpable throughout the lower limbs with a strong, palpable dorasalis pedis pulse. Ankle brachial pressure indexes were normal but reduced toe pressures to the left toes. Colour flow duplex imaging revealed aneurysmal dilation, involving all layers of artery wall, with irregular intraluminal thrombus across a 16-mm segment. Subsequent CTA run-off revealed all vessels were patent in the left lower limb. Due to concerns over further embolisation, our patient underwent successful ligation of the his dorsalis pedis. He had an uneventful post-operative recovery.

The association between community mental health nursing and hospital admissions for people with serious mental illness: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Relapse prevention is an important objective in the management of serious mental illness (SMI). While community mental health nurses (CMHN) might be well-placed to support people with SMI in averting relapse, no systematic reviews have examined this association. AIM: To review the evidence from studies reporting an association between CMHN exposure and hospitalisation of persons living with SMI (a proxy for relapse). METHODS: Searches were undertaken in ten bibliographic databases and two clinical trial registries. We included studies of patients with SMI, where CMHN was the exposure, and the outcome was relapse (i.e. readmission to a psychiatric inpatient facility). Quality assessment of included studies was completed using two risk-of-bias measures. RESULTS: Two studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were rated as being of low-moderate methodological quality. There was insufficient evidence to conclude that community mental health nursing reduced the risk of admission to psychiatric inpatient facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The review found no evidence that CMHN was associated with higher or lower odds of admission to psychiatric inpatient facilities among patients with SMI. The findings of the review point to a need for further research to investigate the impact of CMHN exposure and relapse in people with SMI. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017058694.

The CORE service improvement programme for mental health crisis resolution teams: results from a cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Crisis resolution teams (CRTs) offer brief, intensive home treatment for people experiencing mental health crisis. CRT implementation is highly variable; positive trial outcomes have not been reproduced in scaled-up CRT care. AIMS: To evaluate a 1-year programme to improve CRTs' model fidelity in a non-masked, cluster-randomised trial (part of the Crisis team Optimisation and RElapse prevention (CORE) research programme, trial registration number: ISRCTN47185233). METHOD: Fifteen CRTs in England received an intervention, informed by the US Implementing Evidence-Based Practice project, involving support from a CRT facilitator, online implementation resources and regular team fidelity reviews. Ten control CRTs received no additional support. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction, measured by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8), completed by 15 patients per team at CRT discharge (n = 375). Secondary outcomes: CRT model fidelity, continuity of care, staff well-being, in-patient admissions and bed use and CRT readmissions were also evaluated. RESULTS: All CRTs were retained in the trial. Median follow-up CSQ-8 score was 28 in each group: the adjusted average in the intervention group was higher than in the control group by 0.97 (95% CI -1.02 to 2.97) but this was not significant (P = 0.34). There were fewer in-patient admissions, lower in-patient bed use and better staff psychological health in intervention teams. Model fidelity rose in most intervention teams and was significantly higher than in control teams at follow-up. There were no significant effects for other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The CRT service improvement programme did not achieve its primary aim of improving patient satisfaction. It showed some promise in improving CRT model fidelity and reducing acute in-patient admissions.

Crisis resolution and home treatment in the UK: A survey of model fidelity using a novel review methodology.

Crisis resolution teams (CRTs) provide treatment at home to people experiencing mental health crises, as an alternative to hospital admission. Previous UK research, based on self-report surveys, suggests that a loosely specified model has resulted in wide variations in CRTs' service delivery, organization and outcomes. A fidelity scale (developed through evidence review and stakeholder consensus) provided a means of objectively measuring adherence to a model of good practice for CRTs, via one-day fidelity reviews of UK crisis teams. Reviews included interviews with service users, carers, staff and managers, and examination of data, policies, protocols and anonymized case notes. Of the 75 teams reviewed, 49 (65%) were assessed as being moderate fidelity and the rest as low fidelity, with no team achieving high fidelity. The median score was 122 (range: 73-151; inter-quartile range: 111-132). Teams achieved higher scores on items about structure and organization, for example ease of referral, medication and safety systems, but scored poorly on items about the content of care and interventions. Despite a national mandate to implement the CRT model, there are wide variations in implementation in the UK and no teams in our sample achieved overall high fidelity. This suggests that a mandatory national policy is not in itself sufficient to achieve good quality implementation of a service model. The CRT Fidelity Scale provides a feasible and acceptable means to objectively assess model fidelity in CRTs. There is a need for development and testing of interventions to enhance model fidelity and facilitate improvements to these services.

Sexual health promotion in people with severe mental illness: the RESPECT feasibility RCT.

BACKGROUND: People with serious mental illness have sexual health needs, but there is limited evidence regarding effective interventions to promote their sexual health. OBJECTIVES: To develop a sexual health promotion intervention for people with serious mental illness, and to conduct a feasibility trial in order to establish the acceptability and parameters for a fully powered trial. DESIGN: A two-armed randomised controlled, open feasibility study comparing usual care alone with usual care plus the adjunctive intervention. SETTING: Five community mental health providers in Leeds, Barnsley, Brighton and London. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥ 18 years with serious mental illness and receiving care from community mental health teams. INTERVENTIONS: A remote, web-based computer randomisation system allocated participants to usual care plus the RESPECT (Randomised Evaluation of Sexual health Promotion Effectiveness informing Care and Treatment) intervention (three sessions of 1 hour) (intervention arm) or usual care only (control arm). The intervention was an interactive manualised package of exercises, quizzes and discussion topics focusing on knowledge, motivation and behavioural intentions to adopt safer sexual behaviours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility parameters including establishing the percentage of people who were eligible, consented and were retained in each arm of the trial, retention for the intervention, as well as the completeness of the data collection. Data were collected on knowledge, motivation to adopt safer sexual behaviour, sexual behaviour, sexual stigma, sexual health service use and quality of life. Data were collected at baseline and then at 3 months and 6 months post randomisation. RESULTS: Of a target of 100 participants, 72 people participated in the trial over 12 months. Of the 36 participants randomised to the intervention arm, 27 received some of the intervention (75.0%). At 3 months, 59 of the 72 participants completed follow-up questionnaires (81.9%) (30 participants from the intervention arm and 29 participants from the control arm). Only the first 38 participants were followed up at 6 months. However, data were collected on 29 out of 38 participants (76.3% retention): 13 in the intervention arm and 16 in the control arm. No adverse events were reported. Participant feedback confirmed that both the design and the intervention were acceptable. The economic analysis indicated high completion rates and completeness of data among participants who continued the trial. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations, the findings suggest that it is both acceptable and feasible to undertake a sexual health promotion study for people with serious mental illness. FUTURE WORK: A fully powered randomised controlled trial would be required to establish the clinical effectiveness of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15747739. FUNDING: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 23, No. 65. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

A team of researchers, mental health and sexual health workers, and people with lived experience of mental health problems developed an intervention to help people with serious mental health problems to increase their knowledge and understanding of sexual health, including types of contraception, using condoms safely and sexually transmitted infections, and to consider safety and assertiveness in intimate relationships. This was delivered over three sessions of 1 hour by a specifically trained mental health worker. We recruited 72 people from community mental health services to take part in a study to test the intervention and see whether or not we could collect information about their sexual behaviour using questionnaires. Initially, the numbers of people volunteering for the study were very small. We found that recruitment increased when we shifted to a more direct approach (rather than asking clinical staff to promote the study to people on their caseloads). The direct approach included talking to people who use services directly in clinics and at service user events, and by sending study information by post. We were not able to recruit the numbers that we aimed to (72/100 participants) in the timescale of the study, but the majority of the people who were recruited actively participated in the trial and were generally happy to attend follow-up appointments to complete more questionnaires. Most of those who were allocated to the intervention attended all three sessions. Overall, people found that being a participant of the study was comfortable and safe (acceptable) and we found that it was possible to undertake this type of study within mental health services. We have learnt a lot about how we could run this study on a larger scale. Such a study would allow us to see if the intervention makes a difference to sexual behaviour and increases access to sexual health services for people with serious mental illness.

The Therapeutic Engagement Questionnaire (TEQ): a service user-focused mental health nursing outcome metric.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic engagement (TE) has been described as the crux of mental health nursing but despite its perceived importance, to date, there is no measurement tool that captures it. As a result, there is no way of determining the contribution of mental health nursing interaction to service user recovery, in acute inpatient mental health settings or the wider care quality agenda. METHODS: To develop and validate a TE measurement tool in partnership with Service Users (SUs) and Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMHNs). The TEQ was developed in 3 stages: 1) item generation (and pre-testing), 2) item reduction using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and 3) validation across Mental Health Trusts in England. RESULTS: The final questionnaire has two versions, (SU and RMHN version), each scored within two contexts (1-1 SU-RMHN interactions and overall environment and atmosphere of the ward) and includes 20 items with two sub-scales (care interactions and care delivery). Psychometric evaluation of the TEQ shows high inter-scale correlations (0.66-0.95 SU; 0.57-0.90 RMHN), sound sub-scale internal consistency (> 0.95), concurrent validity (> 0.60) and adequate score variability for both versions of the TEQ. In summary, the TEQ behaves well as a measurement tool. CONCLUSIONS: The TEQ can determine the collaborative and empathic nature of RMHN-SU interactions, capture if SUs are treated with dignity and respect and recognise that the principles of the recovery approach are being respected. The TEQ can also provide robust monitoring of nursing activity, offer opportunity for transparency of activity, feed into healthcare organizations' key performance indicators and provide reassurance about the nature and quality of nurses' work.

The nurse consultant in mental health services: A national, mixed methods study of an advanced practice role.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Internationally, systematic reviews have identified evidence of equal or improved clinical outcomes comparing advanced practitioner treatment with medical treatment as usual, across a range of specialities. Studies of nurse consultants in the United Kingdom have largely been non-empirical. Most studies specifically related to nurse consultant roles in mental health services are case studies or reports of views on this role. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The study demonstrates that nurse consultant numbers vary over time and by clinical specialty. This is influenced by the value invested in the role by local nursing leadership and by national policy change. A lack of role clarity affects the uptake and sustainability of advanced practice roles internationally and is also an issue for the nurse consultant role in England's mental health services. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Successfully introducing advanced practice nursing roles in mental health services requires role clarity and support from local nurse directors. The continued absence of robust evidence as to the clinical/cost-effectiveness of nurse consultant roles in mental health settings places an onus on individual posts to generate data to justify the role at a time of financial constraint. Detailed post holder characteristics reported in this paper provide a basis for future comparison with other advanced practice roles in mental health services and other specialties nationally and internationally. Abstract Introduction The nurse consultant is an advanced practice role providing expert clinical practice, consultancy and professional leadership. To date, few studies have examined this role within mental health services and none have described the professional characteristics of post holders. Aims The main aims of the study were to identify changes in nurse consultant numbers in mental health services, identify post holder characteristics and factors influencing number of posts. Method We used a triangulated mixed methods approach comprised of a longitudinal examination of national workforce data, a national cross-sectional survey of post holder characteristics and semi-structured interviews with directors of nursing. Results Of 58 mental health organizations, 51 (88%) responded, identifying 123 nurse consultant posts, and a range of 0-12 posts per organization. One in 229 mental health nurses and 1 in 186 learning disability nurses were nurse consultant. An average of 40% of nurse consultants' work time was reported as being in clinical practice. Themes identified as important in relation to role sustainability were cost and value, contribution of individual post holders, role clarity and domains of work. Discussion Nurse consultants are represented to a greater extent in the mental health service workforce than in nursing generally, but their roles often lack clarity. Attitudes of local professional leaders and national policies are likely to affect post numbers. Implications for practice Developing and sustaining nurse consultant roles requires role clarity and active support from nurse leaders. Roles need to demonstrate their value to the clinical systems in which they work.

A mixed-methods survey to explore views of staff and patients from mental health wards prior to introduction of a digital early warning system for physical deterioration.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The potential benefits of introducing technological innovation into all types of health services are recognized internationally. There are few studies exploring the use of technology in inpatient mental health settings, or the views of staff and patients regarding such developments. "Early warning systems" are increasingly used in inpatient mental health services to detect physical deterioration in patients and prompt staff to take appropriate action. We have identified no peer-reviewed publications concerning this development. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Using a questionnaire survey, this project gathered views from staff and patients on a planned change from a paper-based "early warning system" to one using handheld electronic devices (tablets). This study adds to the existing evidence by reporting specific staff and patient concerns about a technological development in an inpatient mental health setting. Some patients were concerned about confidentiality of data entered onto tablets. Whilst were either positive or neutral in attitude to the planned change some staff raised concerns that electronic devices could be used as weapons, and also that patients or visitors might misinterpret their use. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Views of staff and patients must be considered when introducing new technology into clinical practice, in order to make the change successful and sustainable. Inadequate or unclear information about the use and purpose of electronic devices may lead to misunderstandings as to their purpose and the security of their data, particularly in mental health settings. Further exploration across a range of services and countries would be useful in determining whether attitudes towards implementing similar technological change in mental health practice are commonly shared. ABSTRACT: Introduction Technological innovation offers opportunities to improve mental health care; however, little evidence exists regarding attitudes of inpatient staff and patients to such changes. We present a survey of staff and patients prior to introduction of a digital version of the National Early Warning Score (eNEWS) system for identifying physical deterioration. Aim To collate views of staff and inpatients related to prospective use of eNEWS, to inform the plan for implementation. Method Paper questionnaires were distributed to both groups in six wards prior to eNEWS implementation. Two discussion groups were then held. Results Eighty-two staff and 26 inpatients completed questionnaires. Some inpatients expressed concerns about data confidentiality. Most staff were neutral or positive about the planned change, but raised possible safety risks and the risk of electronic recording being misinterpreted by patients. The implementation plan was modified in response to this information, principally by improving communication processes with patients. Discussion This study adds to the existing evidence by reporting specific staff and patient concerns towards a form of information technology. Further evaluations would help determine the transferability of these findings. Implications for practice Listening to patient and staff views about planned technological innovation is essential for effective implementation.

Nursing in an age of multimorbidity.

BACKGROUND: A changing sociodemographic landscape has seen rising numbers of people with two or more long-term health conditions. Multimorbidity presents numerous challenges for patients and families and those who work in healthcare services. Therefore, the nursing profession needs to understand the issues involved in supporting people with multiple chronic conditions and how to prepare the future workforce to care for them. METHODS: A descriptive, exploratory study was used to examine the future of nursing in an age of multimorbidity. An hour-long Twitter chat was organised and run by the Florence Nightingale Foundation Chairs of Clinical Nursing Practice Research to discuss this important area of practice and identify what needs to be done to adequately upskill and prepare the nursing profession to care for individuals with more than one long-term illness. Questions were formulated in advance to provide some structure to the online discussion. Data were collected and analysed from the social media platform using NVivo and an analytics tool called Keyhole. Descriptive statistics were used to describe participants and thematic analysis aided the identification of key themes. RESULTS: Twenty-four people, from a range of nursing backgrounds and organisations, took part in the social media discussion. Five themes encompassing coping with treatment burden, delivering holistic care, developing an evidence base, stimulating learning and redesigning health services were seen as key to ensuring nurses could care for people with multimorbidity and prevent others from developing chronic health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity is a pressing health issue in today's society. Changes in nursing research, education and practice are required to help the profession work collaboratively with patients, families and multidisciplinary teams to better manage and prevent chronic illness now and in the future.