PIPSMILL project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychological Interventions for People with Severe Mental Illness in Later Life (PIPSMILL).
IRAS ID
198885
Contact name
Katherine Berry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with severe mental health problems, such as schizophrenia are often very distressed and disabled by their symptoms. Severe mental illness costs society more than £11.8 billion per year, much of which could be spent more wisely (Centre for Economic Performance's Mental Health Policy Group, 2012). It is well known that psychological or ‘talking’ therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help people with severe mental health problems by reducing their symptoms and improving the quality of their lives. Investing money in psychological therapies can also reduce health and social care costs in the longer term (NICE, 2014). However, people in later life are less likely than younger people to be offered psychological therapies.
There are a number of reasons why people in later life are less likely to receive psychological therapies, such as barriers linked to transport, physical morbidity and negative staff attitudes. This study aims to systematically explore the experiences of NHS staff, informal carers and people with severe mental health problems in later life to identify barriers and facilitators to psychological therapies in the NHS.
Using semi-structured interviews we will talk to 20-25 patients, 15-20 carers and 20-25 staff. We will purposively sample participants to ensure we capture key aspects of diversity within the patient, carer and staff groups including ethnicity. Topics guides for the interviews have been developed from published literature and in consultation with patient and carer groups, and focus on the perceived barriers and facilitators associated with accessing psychological therapies within the NHS. Interviews will be transcribed and transcribed data will be analysed using thematic analysis to identify key barriers and facilitators to accessing therapy in later life for severe mental illness.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0123
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion