Using integrated experience-based co-design to promote mental health service design improvements with informal/family carers of adults from LGBTQ communities
- Authors: Martin, Jennifer , Butler, Meredith , Muldowney, Anne , Aleksandrs, Gabriel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Book
- Relation: SAGE Research Methods Cases Medicine and Health
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Co-design research and evaluation methodologies are being increasingly adopted as a preferred approach for mental health research. However, research on the effectiveness and impacts of co-design involving carers is scarce. This article discusses how to conduct research using an integrated experience-based co-design method. It includes issues considered during the formation of the research team and during the study design and implementation. We found integrated experience-based co-design useful throughout the conceptualization and implementation phases of the research moving beyond reporting of carers’ experiences of services to actual engagement in mental health service design. Key factors contributing the success of this process were the inclusion of members of some of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, and queer communities on the research team as well as having researchers with personal and/or practical experience, of mental health services, and as carers and consumers of mental health services. Integrated experience-based co-design allowed for flexibility and adaptability. Taking time early on and a focus on shared values and understandings with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex, and queer networks was important for collective ownership of the co-design process. The integrated experience-based co-design approach recognized the varied and multiple characteristics and contributions of members of the research team and study participants.
Carers of people from LGBTQ communities interactions with mental health service providers : conflict and safety
- Authors: Martin, Jennifer , Butler, Meredith , Muldowney, Anne , Aleksandrs, Gabriel
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing Vol. 28, no. 3 (2019), p. 766-775
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This exploratory study examines the experiences of informal/family carers of people from LGBTQ communities living with mental illness, or experiencing a mental health crisis, in relation to conflict and safety in their interactions with mental health service providers. Carers were surveyed to gain an understanding of their experiences of services. The data were analysed according to the six main originating domains in the Safewards model where conflict may arise as well as the nature of the activity in the domain with the addition of new categories of ‘carer characteristics’ and ‘carer modifiers’. The study findings identified the main domains where conflict occurred, as well as modifications to activities undertaken by staff, consumers, and carers that reduced tensions and misunderstandings. Carer responses revealed the interplay between the Safewards domains and activities and the location of much of what was considered conflict with staff reflecting the regulatory environment services were provided in. This study highlights distinctive carer characteristics and the important conflict modifying role of carers. The findings suggest that the expansion of the Safewards model to include carers may be beneficial. © 2019 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.
Impacts of regulatory processes on the experiences of carers of people in LGBTQ communities living with mental illness or experiencing a mental health crisis
- Authors: Martin, Jennifer , Butler, Martina , Muldowney, Anne , Aleksandrs, Gabriel
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Social Science and Medicine Vol. 230, no. (2019), p. 30-36
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: This article presents the findings of exploratory research on the mental health and community services experiences of informal/family carers of people from LGBTQ communities living with mental illness, or experiencing a mental health crisis. The aim of the research is to explore the experiences of carers in relation to provisions for carers and people from LGBTIQ communities in the mental health legislation, policy and practice standards in the state of Victoria in Australia. Data were collected from online surveys and in-depth interviews and analysed according to the alignment of the stated intent of these documents and the actual experiences of carers. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd