Exploring perspectives on prescribing in a mental health setting
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prescribing guidance and practice: Exploring the factors that have an impact on prescribing in a mental health environment.
IRAS ID
102686
Contact name
Andrew Campbell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth University
Research summary
Prescribing guidelines are designed to assist prescribers and patient decisions about appropriate drug treatment and are often used to promote prescribing which is based on the most relevant and current evidence.
There is little evidence regarding the degree to which mental health prescribing guidelines are implemented in clinical practice and minimal evidence to suggest that prescribing guideline distribution alone affects the prescribing behaviour of healthcare professionals.
There is a need for research which takes into consideration the views of a variety of stakeholders to investigate the perceptions of prescribing/prescribing guidance and to identify perceived factors which might impact on the implementation of prescribing guidance.
It is hoped that the study will inform the development of future prescribing guidelines thus leading to improved prescribing practice and patient outcomes. To date the views of patients, specialist pharmacists and representatives from pharmaceutical industry have not been explored in the context of mental health prescribing guideline development.
The stakeholder groups and rationale for involvement is outlined below:
Service users: are the recipients of treatment and should be involved in the decisions about therapy.
Consultant Psychiatrists & General Practitioners (GPs) including GP Commissioners: are responsible for the initiation and continuation of treatment.
Specialist Pharmacists: are usually the authors of prescribing guidelines and are often responsible for monitoring the impact of the guidelines.
Representatives from the Pharmaceutical Industry: are known to influence clinician prescribing. There is also an increased need for collaborative working in light of the financial constraints on the NHS and the need to promote quality in prescribing.
To achieve the study aims and objectives a qualitative methodological approach is proposed with in-depth, face-to-face interviews. It is estimated that interviews will last between 45 minutes to 1 hour and will be conducted over the period of a year.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1162
Date of REC Opinion
22 Oct 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion