Weight management intervention in secure hospital settings - v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experiences of healthcare assistants, registered mental health nurses and people living with severe mental illness, in the delivery of weight management interventions in a medium secure hospital.
IRAS ID
278190
Contact name
Elizabeth Barley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Within the general population, obesity reduces life expectancy by an average of 3 years; in cases of severe obesity, life expectancy in the general population reduces by 8-10 years (Whitlock, 2009). People living with severe mental illness are at further increased risk of obesity which can lead to reduced life expectancy 2 – 3 times greater than the general population, owing to conditions such a cardiovascular disease (Correll et al., 2017), which is associated with obesity and smoking (Brown et al., 2010).
In a review conducted by (Johnson et al., 2018), evidence (n=22 studies) was identified that suggests adults detained in secure adult mental health units face higher obesity risks due to the effects of medication, diet and lack of adequate physical activity. Long et al. (2016) reviewed evidence focusing on the promotion of healthy lifestyle in secure adult mental health units which identified that cultural change involving both staff and people living with severe mental illness is required to effect change. It is further identified that there is no specific guidance relating to intervention for managing weight or lifestyle management in these settings, despite multiple national frameworks to support weight management intervention.
A theoretical domains framework will inform this qualitative interview study. Study participants will be health care assistants, registered mental health nurses and people living with SMI. All care professionals will have a minimum of 12 months of experience working in secure hospitals caring for people living with SMI, and nurses will be registered mental health nurses. People living with SMI will be over 18 years old and being cared for in a medium secure inpatient unit. Recruitment of participants will be from West London NHS Trusts, Three Bridges medium secure unit in Southall, London.
The findings of this research will inform the development and fidelity of an evidence-based, therapeutically informed tool.
Lay summary of study results: This study interviewed service users (n=20) and nursing staff (n=10) in the secure mental health inpatient unit. The barriers and enablers were identified as related to the restrictive environment, lack of knowledge, symptoms of SMI, nursing staff’s perceived role in weight management, and relational dynamics in a secure environment. Brief intervention approaches may effectively manage these barriers and facilitate self-management skills.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0846
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion