Interview study on experiences of shared decision- making in psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring lived experiences of shared decision making in psychosis: a qualitative longitudinal study with service users, informal carers and mental health professionals
IRAS ID
348507
Contact name
Swzan Akel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Exploring lived experiences of shared decision making in psychosis: a qualitative longitudinal study with service users, informal carers and mental health professionals
The study will explore shared decision-making from the perspectives of service users, informal carers and healthcare professionals to offer a holistic view of current practice. Shared decision-making is the collaborative process of making decisions about care usually between patient and healthcare professionals but sometimes involving informal carers such as family members. The study focuses on shared decision-making in mental health with people with psychosis. Psychosis involves hallucinations and delusions when person loses contact with reality. When someone experiences psychosis they might see or hear things that aren’t there (hallucinations) or have string beliefs that others don’t share and that may not be based in reality (delusions). It is commonly treated with antipsychotic medication. If people feel included in the decisions about their care, the health outcomes are better and they are more adherent to treatment. The study will explore examples of good practice and areas where improvement are needed to identify recommendations for best practice guidance.
To undertake the study, we will recruit service users, informal carers and mental health professionals to take part in one-to-one interviews. The service users, from the Early Intervention in Psychosis service will be interviewed three times over a year and the mental health professionals and informal carers will be interviewed once. The informal cares can take part regardless of the involvement of the service user they care for. The interviews will take place at Newcastle University, online, or at CNTW trust premises and will last up to an hour. The participants will be asked to 1) share their experiences of shared decision making in psychosis, 2) identify how it could be improved for them and 3) think of the role of informal carers in the process.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0289
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion