RAISe-ing awareness: Person-centred care in coercive mental health care environments-A scoping review and framework development

Abstract

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: In mental healthcare environments, there are times when people are forced into care (i.e. to take medications or be hospitalized) when they may not want it. It is difficult to understand how person-centred care (i.e. supporting patients to lead decisions about their care) can occur within coercive settings. There is a gap in the literature about this topic as few studies have explored it. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This paper examines the research publicly available to better understand if person-centred care can exist at times when people are forced into mental health care. The paper develops a conceptual framework, RAISe (Relationship, Agency, Information, Safe environment), for understanding this matter in order to help people apply this concept in practice In certain situations, with caring and respectful approaches, with and for patients, it is possible to provide person-centred care at times when mental health care is forced. RAISe identifies ways in which this can be done by clinicians while working with people. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: These person-centred approaches need to be applied across mental health systems so that people in forced mental healthcare scenarios continue to experience dignity and respect. This is particularly important for nurses who are often the ones providing direct care to patients in these environments. ABSTRACT: Introduction Person-centred care (PCC) is founded on a theoretical premise that the person who the care issue pertains to directs the decisions relating to them. This can raise ethical challenges when mental health care is forced. Aim This paper reports on how PCC is provided in coercive mental healthcare environments and its outcomes, where reported. Method A scoping review methodology was utilized to search the literature in English until December 2019 (inclusive). Results Twenty articles were included in the review. The information found was diverse and addressed different aspects of PCC in coercive mental healthcare environments. Discussion Overall, this area is understudied. Despite ethical challenges, there are opportunities to provide PCC in coercive mental healthcare environments. A novel conceptual framework, RAISe (Relationship, Agency, Information, Safe environment), is presented to assist in applying PCC in these environments. Further research investigating how to employ these practices across systems should occur. Implications for Practice This review acknowledges the challenges of providing PCC in coercive mental healthcare environments, while suggesting that this type of care can still be delivered in general as well as specific ways. This is especially relevant for nurses who provide direct care within these environments.

Keywords: Coercive mental health care environments; ethics; person-centred care.